Affordable Health Insurance

Don't cut insurer payments

Friday 30 May 2008 at 1:26 pm The Bush administration is threatening to veto any legislation that protects doctors' Medicare payments at the expense of private insurers.

Beginning July 1, reimbursement rates for doctors will drop 10.6 percent when they treat elderly and disabled patients participating in Medicare.

To keep that from happening, lawmakers are looking at finding at least $9 billion in savings from other Medicare programs over the next five years.

At the top of the list for Democrats and some Republicans: private insurers serving some 9.5 million elderly and disabled beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage. The insurers get a government subsidy that many lawmakers say is too generous. (more)

Sen. Clinton Says She Would Improve Health Care for American Indians, Increase IHS Funding if Elected President

Friday 30 May 2008 at 1:15 pm Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) on Friday during a press teleconference from South Dakota pledged that if elected, she would increase funding for Indian Health Services, improve health services provided to American Indians not living on reservations and expand health insurance coverage to all American Indians as part of her plan to insure all U.S. residents, the Billings Gazette reports.

Clinton made the comments as she outlined a nine-point agenda for Montana tribes as part of her campaign in that state and South Dakota, which will hold Democratic primaries on June 3. Clinton, a co-sponsor of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendment, said that as president, she would upgrade the position of IHS director to an assistant secretary level, which would give the department more involvement with national health policy. She also said she would increase funding for IHS, "which has to ration health care because of budget shortfalls," according to the Gazette (Lutey, Billings Gazette, 5/23). (more)

CNN Examines Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer That Disproportionately Affects Black Women

Friday 30 May 2008 at 1:10 pm CNN on Wednesday reported on triple negative breast cancer, a "rare, fast-moving cancer that has experts ... stumped." Nearly 50% of black women under age 55 who are diagnosed with breast cancer have the triple negative type, compared with 15% of all women with breast cancer.

The five-year survival rate for triple negative breast cancer is 15% lower than for other types of the disease, in part because it responds poorly to most breast cancer treatments, CNN reports. Funmi Olopade, a breast cancer expert at the University of Chicago, said triple negative breast cancer is one of the deadliest forms because "[o]ne, we don't know the risk factors for it. Two, we don't know how best to screen for it. And three, we don't know how best to treat it." (more)

Gulf Coast Area Children Who Lived in Trailer Units at Risk for Long-Term Illnesses, Experts Say

Thursday 29 May 2008 at 4:31 pm Tens of thousands of Gulf Coast area children who lived in trailer units provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 might have increased risk for long-term health problems, according to physicians and federal health officials, the AP/Denver Post reports.

CDC in February announced that a study of the air quality in the trailer units found toxic levels of formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory and other health problems. FEMA and CDC did not begin efforts to relocate residents of the trailer units until after the release of the study, and federal lawmakers and health officials maintain that the "agencies' delay in recognizing the danger is being compounded by studies that will be virtually useless and the lack of a plan to treat children as they grow," according to the AP/Post. (more)

States That Rank High in Measures of Children's Health Tend To Have Lower Rates of Uninsured Children, Higher Health Costs, Study Finds

Thursday 29 May 2008 at 4:20 pm Children in states with higher rates of insured children are more likely to receive higher-quality health care, according to a Commonwealth Fund study released Wednesday, McClatchy/Kansas City Star reports. Researchers used data on 13 health care indicators to rank all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in five subcategories: health care access, quality, cost, equity and health outcomes. The study, titled "U.S Variations in Child Health System Performance: A State Scorecard," found that expanded insurance coverage through programs such as Medicaid and SCHIP is "critical" for improving quality of care for children in every state. (more)

Insurance Commissioner Poizner Touts Availability of Personal Health Records, Encourages Consumer Participation

Wednesday 28 May 2008 at 2:16 pm Commissioner Releases Report Detailing How Patients Can Benefit from PHRs

SACRAMENTO - Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, joined by doctors and industry executives from Anthem, UnitedHealth, Health Net, Kaiser and Aetna, announced today the creation of an industry working group to ensure that patients can transfer their Personal Health Records (PHR) between insurance companies. He also encouraged patients to use PHRs, a tool to manage an individual's medical information. (more)

America's Best Health Plans

Wednesday 28 May 2008 at 2:03 pm Desperate to control healthcare costs, employers are rolling out wellness programs with teeth
By Michelle Andrews
Posted October 25, 2007

Discounted gym memberships. Free cholesterol screening. Movie passes for completing a personal health Q&A. Traditionally, most corporate wellness programs have relied on a variety of small perks like these to nudge employees to pay better attention to their health. (more)

Good health begins with health insurance

Tuesday 27 May 2008 at 11:48 am By Kathleen Vinehout

It's been 19 years since Marie was cancer free. And it has been 19 years since she had health insurance. Doctors tell her at 19 years of survival, she has the same life expectancy of a nonsmoker her age without cancer.

But don't tell the insurance companies. She has tried dozens of times and can't get insurance. The state's high risk health insurance pool won't work either.

"I don't mind paying for health insurance," she told me one beautiful day in May. "But the state's high risk pool would take more than half my income. And the Well Woman Program only does mammograms and pap smears. I am more than that." (more)

California Insurance Department Encouraging Residents to Use Online Personal Health Records

Thursday 22 May 2008 at 2:31 pm Not enough California residents are using online personal health records offered by insurers and managed care groups in the state, according to a report released on Tuesday by the state Department of Insurance, the Sacramento Bee reports. The report was based on a survey of California's major insurers. The report states that PHRs are secure and efficient and allow people to better manage their health care and handle their health insurance claims. Based on the report, the state is encouraging residents to use PHRs. The department also is expected to announce the creation of a working group that would aim to ensure patients can keep their PHRs when they switch insurance companies. (more)

Texas advisory panel calls for state oversight of PPO health insurance plans

Thursday 22 May 2008 at 2:28 pm By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News
tstutz@dallasnews.com

AUSTIN - A state commission, citing the fact that four out of five insured Texans now receive health care through preferred provider organizations, urged the Legislature on Wednesday to protect consumers by placing all PPOs under state regulation for the first time.

The staff of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission said the lack of state authority over PPOs is "outdated" in the current health care environment and may result in harm to a large number of consumers if the situation remains unchanged. (more)

We Seek Bipartisan Health Care

Thursday 22 May 2008 at 2:23 pm In his op-ed "The Republican Health-Care Surrender" (May 15), former Rep. Dick Armey is remembering the mindset of the 1994 health-care debate. We understand that mindset because we, along with many of our co-sponsors, were in Congress then and on opposite sides of the Clinton health-reform debate. This is a different day and we are working together on a different bill. We no longer see health reform in terms of "us vs. them." With all of the bipartisan cosponsors of the Healthy Americans Act, we just want to fix the broken health-care system.

We believe that every American should have affordable, private health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation have reviewed our bill and reported that it achieves that goal while cutting down costs and saving the government money. (more)

Health Insurance

Thursday 22 May 2008 at 2:18 pm Soon people in Florida will be able to buy health insurance for about a hundred and 50 bucks a month. Governor Charlie Crist signed his Cover Florida plan into law Wednesday. People living without insurance have mixed fillings about the plan.

Tattoo artist Grady Johnson has his own tattoo parlor, but he doesn't have a health insurance plan.

"Its too expensive even owning your own business. It's hard to pay for."

While Grady's work with ink hasn't brought him enough fortune to buy health insurance, a different kind of ink, used by the Governor Wednesday, could do the trick. (more)

Kaiser patients to receive health coverage again

Wednesday 21 May 2008 at 11:29 am Kaiser Permanente today became the first California health plan to reinstate the individual insurance policies of consumers who were improperly dropped, often after running up expensive medical bills.

The California Department of Managed Health Care announced that Kaiser will offer coverage to 1,092 consumers whose policies were rescinded from 2004 until 2006, when Kaiser stopped the practice. The state has been investigating the five largest health plans for retroactively dropping consumers for making minor mistakes about their medical histories on their health insurance applications.

Kaiser will also pay a $300,000 fine. (more)

Predictions about private health insurance 'alarmist'

Wednesday 21 May 2008 at 11:20 am A healthcare industry analyst says some of the predictions made over the future of private health insurance could be considered alarmist.

A report commissioned by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) says the Federal Government's plan to increase the Medicare surcharge threshold will fuel a cycle of unaffordable private health insurance.

But a health actuary with Deloitte, Stuart Rodger, says the fall out from the decision depends on how people aged over 30 respond to the changes. (more)

More Americans Fear Losing Their Health Insurance Than Being in a Terrorist Attack

Wednesday 21 May 2008 at 11:18 am By Ezra Klein, The American Prospect. Posted May 21, 2008.

Will a new administration and Congress get universal health care right this time?

If health insurance were cheap, we could all buy it. If universal health care could get 60 votes in the Senate, we'd all have it. But these two imperatives -- the need to control costs and the need to attract the 60 Senate votes required to overcome a filibuster -- point in opposite directions. This is the central paradox of health reform. (more)

Google Health Launches, But Gets A Second Opinion On Terms Of Service

Wednesday 21 May 2008 at 11:16 am David Kaplan
paidContent.org
Wednesday, May 21, 2008; 10:25 AM

A lot has changed since the concept of Google Health was first broached in July 2006. After months of preparation, the site was finally launched on Monday. Google's (NSDQ: GOOG) pitch to users is that they will be able to keep all their health information?including details about users' doctors, hospitals, medical history, lab tests, etc??while being able to search for additional resources related to your particular medical profile. (more)

WellCare Health Plans gives up some Ohio business

Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 4:43 pm WellCare Health Plans Inc. said it has decided against renewing a contract to provide managed health care services to some Mediciaid recipients in Ohio.

The company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the contract to provide services to the aged, blind and disabled population in northeast Ohio expires on June 30, although the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services has the right to extend the agreement for up to two months. (more)

Blue Cross to join other Medicaid administrators

Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 3:30 pm The New Mexico Human Services Department and four managed care organizations have agreed to a new four-year contract for the administration of the department's Medicaid SALUD! program and the State Coverage Insurance, or SCI, program. (more)

R.I. lawmakers to vote on ending free health insurance

Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 3:26 pm PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Rhode Island lawmakers making deep budget cuts that affect other people will soon consider one that hits their own wallets.

more stories like thisHouse lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that would require members of the General Assembly to pay 10 percent of the cost of their state-funded health insurance. Right now, they get it for free.

Those health care plans cost the state $5,810 for an individual lawmaker and $16,233 for a family. (more)

Financial tips for college grads: Watch the credit cards, get health insurance

Tuesday 20 May 2008 at 3:23 pm By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

Diplomas in hand, college graduates are heading off into the “real world," where a daunting economy and sluggish job market await. Smith College economics professor Randall K. Bartlett, who teaches in the college's Women and Financial Independence program, said recent graduates need to make a concerted effort to manage their finances well as they enter post-college life. (more)

Speedy bill diagnosis

Monday 19 May 2008 at 6:11 pm BY SANDRA GUY Sun-Times Columnist
Imagine no more bills from insurance companies, hospitals and offices months after you've been to the doctor.

Scott Kornhauser, CEO of Healthation (healthation.com), and Daniel T. Knies, chief technology officer, have developed software to let people pay their doctor's bill instantly at the doctor's office or their hospital bill at the hospital, just like people pay for their prescriptions at the drugstore. (more)

Young likely to opt out of health cover

Monday 19 May 2008 at 6:04 pm PRIVATE health insurance buyers may well be "punching ponchos'', as the iSelect commercial says, were they not to engage the services of said broker.

But healthy under-30s with credit card debts would be "puffin muffins'' if they bought the insurance at all, says popular financial adviser Scott Pape.

For singles earning up to $100,000, there is now one less incentive to take up private health insurance, thanks to the Rudd Government's changes to the Medicare levy surcharge. (more)

Health fund predicts big exodus

Monday 19 May 2008 at 6:03 pm Leo Shanahan and Ari Sharp
May 20, 2008

Advertisement
PRIVATE health funds are budgeting for an exodus of customers because of changes to the Medicare levy threshold.

Private health insurer NIB became the first insurer to detail expected losses, predicting a "shock loss" of 25,000 policy holders after the changes kick in on July 1. (more)

Failing Economy Predicts Worse Health

Monday 19 May 2008 at 5:58 pm By KATHLEEN KINGSBURY

Health care in the U.S. is expensive. That much is plain to many Americans these days. But as the economy spirals downward, a series of recent reports forecasts that the country's health-care crisis is about to get worse, particularly for children.

A study conducted at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and released Saturday analyzed data on more than 15,000 children in Ohio, and found that kids who did not have continuous health insurance were 14 times less likely to have regular visits with a pediatrician than those who did. They were also three times less likely to fill prescriptions for necessary medication. "These unmet medical needs directly put a child's health at risk," says Gerry Fairbrother, a researcher on health policy at Cincinnati Children's. (more)

Finding health coverage for young adults

Friday 16 May 2008 at 1:15 pm Americans aged 19 to 29 who are about to be dropped from their parents' insurance policies needn't go without.
By James S. Granelli, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 18, 2008
Elaine Farrell deals with insurance forms and rules every day at the dental office where she works. But she recently found out that she's as much a novice as anyone else when it comes to general health insurance.

Her oldest daughter, Kristen, turned 23 this weekand was booted off her parents' medical plan. The insurance company had mailed a notice about the impending change in status only a month earlier, sending Mom into panic mode. (more)

After Cancellations, 1,200 Californians Get Health Insurance Back

Friday 16 May 2008 at 1:13 pm The health insurance pendulum is swinging back the other way in California.

Insurers in the state have been taking some heat in recent months for canceling policies of individuals who had inaccuracies on their applications. But in a deal yesterday, two big insurers in the state agreed to restore coverage for nearly 1,200 people who had their policies canceled after incurring big medical costs, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The industry says canceling policies when people misrepresent themselves is a key way to prevent fraud and keep prices down. But critics say there are cases where insurers use honest mistakes as an excuse to cancel policies of people who become sick and run-up high health bills. (more)

All Michigan couples need health insurance

Friday 16 May 2008 at 10:48 am I am deeply disappointed by the decision of the Michigan Supreme Court prohibiting public employers from offering domestic-partnership benefits to the partners and children of public employees.

When Michigan voters passed a Constitutional amendment in 2004 defining marriage as between one man and one woman, they had no intention of forcing cities and colleges to take away health insurance from the families of their employees in domestic partnerships.

During the campaign, supporters of Proposal 2, the so-called "marriage amendment," repeatedly stated on television and in newspapers the measure would have no effect on the health benefits of unmarried couples and their children. (more)

Health insurance costs soar 12% in '08

Friday 16 May 2008 at 10:46 am By Roger Fillion, Rocky Mountain News

Employers' health insurance costs this year have climbed 12 percent above 2007 levels in Colorado and Wyoming, a survey shows.

The premiums employers pay for their employees' health insurance have risen less rapidly, at an average rate of 7 percent, according to the Mountain States Employers Council.

The group's survey of 697 employers in the two states suggests that employers continue to face double-digit gains in health care costs but are managing to shift a sizeable chunk of the increase to their employees. (more)

The Republican Health-Care Surrender

Thursday 15 May 2008 at 11:02 am By DICK ARMEY
May 15, 2008

Hillary Clinton's presidential aspirations may have died in North Carolina last week, but her most famous bad idea is alive and well in Washington, D.C. With likely increases in Democrat ranks in the House and Senate, and a Democrat (possibly) in the White House, plan on a big fight in 2009 over who - you or the federal government - will control your family's health-care decisions.

We won this fight last time around. One of the GOP's shining moments was our principled opposition to HillaryCare in 1994. The first lady's overreach helped lay the groundwork for the Republican takeover of Congress that November. (more)

Is cost putting health insurance out of reach?

Thursday 15 May 2008 at 10:52 am When Perry Forrest started working as a truck driver and groundsman for Pike Electric Corp. last month, he and his wife, Jonnie, decided not to take the health insurance plan offered by his new employer.

"We just can't afford it at this time," Jonnie Forrest said. "Eighty-five dollars a week is a lot of money when you are raising two teenagers."

The children - 16-year-old E.T. and 15-year-old Ashley - have federally supported health insurance through the state's Family Access to Medical Insurance Security plan, or FAMIS. But the couple have been without health insurance since they both lost their jobs - and she lost their employer-subsidized family health insurance - in 2006. (more)

Nelson targets petrol, health insurance in reply

Thursday 15 May 2008 at 10:49 am Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has promised to overturn the Government's tax increase on pre-mixed alcohol and to scrap the changes to private health insurance, in his Budget reply speech tonight.

In his reply Dr Nelson said he wants to see petrol excise cut by five cents a litre, which he said would have a modest downward impact on inflation.

"Watching petrol prices does not bring them down," he said.

"Petrol is now hurting Australians in every walk of life. This is a modest but meaningful way of helping all people." (more)

N.J. senators to weigh health insurance for kids

Thursday 15 May 2008 at 10:47 am By TOM HESTER Jr. - Associated Press Writer - May 15, 2008

All New Jersey children would have to have health insurance and all taxpayers would have to annually prove they have health insurance under a proposal to be weighed for the first time Thursday by senators.

The Senate health committee is to debate legislation designed as a first step toward universal health coverage for all residents by 2011.

"This is a broken and dysfunctional system, and it's time for a health care plan that works," said Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, the bill sponsor. (more)

Is health insurance really a budget buster?

Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 10:37 am Newton - Mayor David Cohen has continually pointed to health insurance as a driver in the need for this override. In his State of the City address in October, he said, "over the last decade, our health insurance costs have risen an average of 11 percent a year."

In his most recent budget address, he said he expects to spend on health insurance next year "more than double what we spent just eight years ago."

But this year, the city is saving $4.1 million in health insurance costs. (more)

Schools facing dramatic spike in health insurance

Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 10:36 am Premiums expected to increase as much as 24 percent; provider blames bump in claims

By Josh Adams
Editor

Ballooning health insurance costs in District 91 were announced to school employees and the public alike recently, though administrators said they are unclear exactly how an expected 20 percent spike in premiums might impact next year's budget. (more)

YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TRY TO TAKE YOUR PERSONAL INJURY RECOVERY AWAY FROM YOU

Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 10:34 am Years ago when a personal injury attorney obtained an adequate recovery for a personal injury claimant, their job was done.

Now however, once an adequate recovery is obtained from the careless driver's insurance company, the job is only half way done.

The next battle for the personal injury lawyer is a fight with their client's health and hospital insurance company which will make a claim for reimbursement of all medical hospital bills paid under the injured party's health insurance policy. (more)

Concerns over rising cost of health insurance

Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 10:29 am Wednesday, 14 May 2008 12:15
A new study has found that one in ten consumers has a major concern about the rising cost of private health insurance.

The study, commissioned by the Health Insurance Authority, found that 40% of people feel increases in premiums in recent years are not justified.

About 40% of people surveyed said they would discontinue the private health cover if premiums rose by 20%.

Over half of the population now has private health insurance. (more)

Candidates and health care reform

Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 12:05 pm By GRACE-MARIE TURNER
GUEST COLUMNIST

Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are gearing up for a general election battle -- barring a surprise surge by Sen. Hillary Clinton -- in which they will offer very different visions for health care reform.

Obama -- like Clinton -- sees a much larger role for government in the one-sixth of our economy represented by the health sector. Obama would mandate that all children have health insurance, would require employers to pay for insurance for their workers, would impose significant new federal regulation over health insurance and would expand government programs such as Medicaid. (more)

Foundation offers plan to widen health coverage

Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 12:03 pm By Kim Dixon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A requirement that all companies help fund health insurance in the United States and a new public plan option are keys to a plan proposed on Tuesday to dramatically shrink the rolls of the uninsured.

The proposal from the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation, published in the May/June issue of the journal Health Affairs, is the latest plan aimed at cutting a growing number of uninsured people in the United States, now estimated at 47 million.

Building on the current employer-based system, which finances health care for about 160 million Americans, it proposes a government body to sell lower-priced health plans to small business and individuals. (more)

Costly Campus Health Insurance Often Falls Short

Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 12:00 pm In fall 2006, Ralph Giunta Sr. decided to buy his son Ralph Jr. a practical birthday gift: health insurance. The father, who owns a small financial-services company that lacks an insurance plan, phoned Palm Beach Community College, where his son was on the dean's list. The Lake Worth (Fla.) school recommended a policy provided by MEGA Life and Health Insurance, whose student business was acquired in late 2006 by giant UnitedHealthcare. Giunta wrote a check for $1,044 for one year. "They assured me he was well covered," he says.

Six out of 10 colleges and universities now recommend specific health insurance plans for their students, and three of 10 require them. But as the Giuntas discovered, many of the policies turn out to be scanty at best, and inferior to comparably priced alternatives. This can leave families exposed to crippling medical bills they thought they'd protected against. Insurers, meanwhile, have found that the student market can be quite profitable. (more)

Top Pennsylvania official says affordable health insurance possible

Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 11:58 am A bill pending in the state Senate could address Pennsylvania's most critical health care crisis for the hundreds of thousands who lack health insurance, a top Department of State official told nursing students in Coraopolis.

Joined about 250 nursing students and professionals at an informational session at the Crowne Plaza, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Commissioner Basil Merenda said the bill would provide uninsured Pennsylvanians access to health care. (more)

IBD Insurance Services Releases Podcast on Small Business Health Insurance

Friday 09 May 2008 at 2:30 pm Raleigh, NC, May 09, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Jim Price, president of IBD Insurance Services (www.ibdinsurance.com), has announced the release of a podcast offering health insurance advice for small business owners. In the podcast, Bill Moore, CEO of IBD Insurance, explains how businesses can determine which health insurance plans best meet their needs, customizing business plans, small business insurance versus multiple individual plans and health insurance for home-based businesses. The podcast is now available for download at www.mmimarketing.com/podcast/small-business-health-insurance.

"Business owners must look at the demographics of their staff when trying to make decisions about health insurance," Moore said. "The age and lifestyle of employees must be taken into consideration, as well as whether anyone has an unusual health condition." (more)

Is Your Kid Covered?

Friday 09 May 2008 at 2:27 pm Insurers make big profits from college students, but some families are left with huge bills

In fall 2006, Ralph Giunta Sr. decided to buy his son Ralph Jr. a practical birthday gift: health insurance. The father, who owns a small financial-services company that lacks an insurance plan, phoned Palm Beach Community College, where his son was on the dean's list. The Lake Worth (Fla.) school recommended a policy provided by MEGA Life and Health Insurance, whose student business was acquired in late 2006 by giant UnitedHealthcare. Giunta wrote a check for $1,044 for one year. "They assured me he was well covered," he says. (more)

Health savings accounts mostly help well-heeled

Friday 09 May 2008 at 2:24 pm Speaking of Americans "going it alone" in purchasing health care, how are those health savings accounts, pushed by President Bush a few years ago, working out for the American people?

Paired with high-deductible insurance, the plans allow people to save in tax-advantaged accounts and spend it on medical care. These accounts are touted as "consumer-driven" vehicles that allow people to shop for their own health care and buy only what they need. If people are spending their own money, the thinking goes, they'll be more prudent consumers of health care.

There are many good reasons for concerns about these plans. As all uninsured Americans already know, it's virtually impossible to shop for the best price for an appendectomy or heart surgery. When you're in an emergency room hooked up to monitors, good luck finding the least expensive surgeon to take out your appendix. (more)

Affordable Health Insurance Coverage Cited As Top Priority

Friday 09 May 2008 at 2:22 pm A bill pending in the state Senate could address Pennsylvania's most critical health care crisis for the hundreds of thousands who lack health insurance, a top Department of State official told nursing students in Coraopolis today.

Joined by approximately 250 nursing students and professionals at an informational session at the Crowne Plaza, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Commissioner Basil Merenda said the bill would provide uninsured Pennsylvanians access to health care. (more)

Health insurance doesn't always mean health care

Thursday 08 May 2008 at 8:24 pm Stealing remains illegal unless you happen to be a provider of health insurance whereby you can do pretty much whatever you want without explanation.

No other business would be able to sell a service then decide when, if, how and at what cost they provide that service.

The basic concept of health insurance would seem to be that you pay the insurance company every month and, in exchange for that cash, they cover the cost of your care should you fall ill.

Unfortunately, what actually happens is that you pay every month and then, if you get sick, someone who is not your doctor gets to decide if treating you makes fiscal sense. (more)

TASK FORCE DENOUNCES MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DECISION STRIPPING HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS OF SAME-SEX PARTNERS OF EMPLOYEES AT UNIVERSITIES AND PUBLIC-SECTOR EMPLOYERS

Thursday 08 May 2008 at 8:23 pm WASHINGTON, May 8 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force denounces the Michigan Supreme Court ruling mandating that local governments and state universities can't offer health insurance to the same-sex partners of their employees. The court ruled 5-2 that Michigan's 2004 ban against same-sex marriage also blocks domestic partner policies affecting employees with same-sex partners at universities and other public-sector employers.

Statement by Dave Noble, Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (more)

Cost of No Health Insurance

Thursday 08 May 2008 at 8:21 pm Perhaps the real issue is not what is the cost of having health care but, more important, what is the cost of not having health care. An organization called Families USA (a health care advocate) has just released some rather concerning facts.

You can access this on a computer to compare the results in all 50 states of deaths caused by not having health insurance.

For Oklahoma:

Working-age people without health insurance die sooner. Families USA estimates that more than nine working-age Oklahomans die each week due to lack of health insurance (approximately 470 people in 2006). (more)

Bill to let small businesses negotiate jointly for health insurance clears House

Thursday 08 May 2008 at 8:19 pm The state's National Federation of Independent Business is behind small-business insurance legislation that cleared the House unanimously this week.

Jim Brown, Tennessee state director of the NFIB, says in a release the measure will make it easier for small business owners to find and keep affordable health insurance.

The bill would let business owners join together to negotiate health insurance rates, the NFIB release says, adding it gives small business owners an important option to look for better rate predictability and stability. (more)

Health insurance

Wednesday 07 May 2008 at 1:18 pm Mandatory coverage law costing consumers
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
In seeking solutions to the national problem of uninsured Americans, some communities and states are forcing employers to pay for health insurance or pay the government to do so. Where such a law has taken effect, employers are finding creative ways to pass the costs on to their customers.

A San Francisco law requires businesses with more than 20 employees to spend a minimum amount on health care for those who work more than 10 hours a week to provide care for an estimated 73,000 uninsured residents. It amounts to $1.17 per hour for businesses with 20 to 99 employees and an hourly cost of $1.76 for those with more than 100 workers, according to the Wall Street Journal. (more)

Senate Approves State Health Insurance Pooling Bill

Wednesday 07 May 2008 at 1:13 pm By MARK PAZNIOKAS | Courant Staff Writer
May 7, 2008

The Senate voted early today to give final legislative approval to a Democratic bill permitting municipalities, nonprofits and small businesses to join the state employee health insurance pool.

Approval came at 1:51 a.m. on 22-12 vote. All 11 Republicans present opposed the measure, as did one Democrat, Joan Hartley of Waterbury. It now goes to Gov. M. Jodi Rell. (more)

Joining state's pool needs approval

Wednesday 07 May 2008 at 1:11 pm By Tony Dobrowolski, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Article Last Updated: 05/07/2008 08:33:39 AM EDT

PITTSFIELD - After exploring several health insurance scenarios over the last three months, a committee of city officials has found that Pittsfield could have saved $5.6 million this fiscal year if it had joined the state's insurance pool.

Following those findings, Mayor James M. Ruberto announced he will submit a petition to the City Council within the next few weeks that would allow officials to engage in coalition bargaining with Pittsfield's 18 municipal unions to join the Group Insurance Commission. (more)

McCain's radical health overhaul

Wednesday 07 May 2008 at 1:09 pm Michael Tanner, Financial Post
Published: Wednesday, May 07, 2008

John McCain is proposing the most radical overhaul of American health-care policy in a decade and a half. Not since Bill and Hillary Clinton's failed reform attempt has a presidential candidate, or even a president, called for such sweeping changes to the way health care is delivered and health insurance is purchased. (more)

Health insurance tops Rep. Black's constituent survey

Tuesday 06 May 2008 at 1:33 pm Health insurance for all Wisconsin residents is a key concern in the 77th Assembly District, according to the annual legislative survey conducted by state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison.

"It's clear that my constituents believe the government should have a role in health care," Black said in a statement announcing the results of the survey. "Health care costs are skyrocketing, and more people are struggling to afford necessary, basic care."

Black represents part of Madison's west side, Shorewood Hills and part of Middleton. He's been conducting a survey of his constituents every year for the past 24 years, asking how they feel about various proposals before the Legislature. (more)

Colorado may soon have approval power over health insurance hikes

Tuesday 06 May 2008 at 1:30 pm DENVER - Colorado lawmakers voted on Monday night to approve a measure designed to impact how much you pay for health insurance in the future.

House Bill 1389 was passed by the state Senate 23-13 on Monday. It has already passed the state House.

If it is signed by the governor, the measure would require all insurance companies seeking to raise rates to justify those increases before the state's Insurance Commissioner who could reject their arguments. Further, the bill seeks to provide unparalleled transparency to consumers, allowing for people to track health care executive salaries, stock options, and lobbying expenses, in addition to following where health care dollars are spent.

Supporters say it's an opportunity to block "unjust" rate hikes. (more)

New Health Insurance Program For Children

Tuesday 06 May 2008 at 1:27 pm Health officials are calling it the best kept secret in town, a new health insurance for children that you might be eligible for and not even know it.
Shreveport mother Whitney Pleasant is able to get free healthcare for her children under the Louisiana State Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as LaCHIP.
"I don't have to pay bills, it helps me with prescriptions."
Outside the County Market Grocery Store in Shreveport, health officals from Christus Schumpert and The Department of Health and Hospitals set up shop trying to sign up people who qualify. (more)

Smoker Fees For Health Insurance Remain A Hazy Issue

Tuesday 06 May 2008 at 1:20 pm Copyright: Chicago Tribune
Source: Chicago Tribune (KRT)

CHICAGO - Smoking is a lightning rod for controversy, as is the question of whether workers who smoke should have to pay more for their health insurance.

It''s no wonder then that Whirlpool Corp. made headlines last month for suspending 39 workers who were seen smoking outside their Evansville, Ind., factory despite enrolling for insurance as non-smokers. (more)

Officials face music on insurance

Monday 05 May 2008 at 3:20 pm Local governments must report future benefit costs
By Nancy Dooling . Press & Sun-Bulletin . May 5, 2008

Local officials are being forced to look at -- and report -- what taxpayers will pay in years to come for health insurance benefits for public employees and retirees.

Municipal spending could eventually increase by millions of dollars.

"It's huge," said Mark Whalen, chairman of the Broome County Legislature. (more)

Obama's Health Care Record

Monday 05 May 2008 at 3:17 pm By SCOTT GOTTLIEB
May 5, 2008; Page A15

Laughing gas can be useful during complicated dental procedures, but should every health plan be required to cover it and should health insurance cost more because of it?

Barack Obama thinks so. As a state senator in Illinois, he voted to require that dental anesthesia be covered by every health plan for difficult medical cases. Today, the requirement is one of 43 mandates imposed by Illinois on health insurance, according to the Illinois Division of Insurance. Other mandates require coverage of infertility treatments, drug rehab, "personal injuries" incurred while intoxicated, and other forms of care. (more)

Americas Watchdog Wants To Know If Consumers, HMO's Or Health Insurance Company's Are Tired Of Being Soaked with drugs like Vioxx or Trasylol By Big Drug Companies?

Monday 05 May 2008 at 3:14 pm Americas Watchdog has just launched a national investigation into seeing if consumers, HMO's, health insurance companies, or health cooperatives were over charged with the drug called Vioxx, Trasylol or any other drugs, when much cheaper alternatives were available. According to the group, "we are out to protect consumers, HMO's, health insurance companies & health care cooperatives from being gouged by big pharmaceutical companies. We think Vioxx & Trasylol will turn out to be a perfect examples". HMO executives, health care insurance executives or individuals with specific information should feel welcome to call Americas Watchdog anytime at 866-714-6466

PRWEB) May 5, 2008 -- The nationally renown consumer group Americas Watchdog and its US Drug Watchdog are taking a stand with respect to big pharmaceutical companies soaking HMO's, health insurance companies and heath cooperatives with excessive fees on drugs like Vioxx or Trasylol. (more)

A health insurance dilemma

Monday 05 May 2008 at 3:08 pm Estimated 1 in 6 S.C. residents live without it

By Jill Coley (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Monday, May 5, 2008

For three years, Minnie Hopkins pushed out of her mind the fact that she could have cancer. She had two lumpectomies to remove surgically what turned out to be benign breast calcifications. Then she lost her job and her health insurance. (more)

Graduates can stay on parent's health insurance until age 25

Friday 02 May 2008 at 1:29 pm By Bradley Olson | Sun reporter
May 2, 2008

Thousands of seniors graduating from Maryland colleges this spring will be guaranteed the right to stay on their parents' health insurance until they turn 25, thanks to a law that went into effect this year.

In the past, many lost coverage when they finished their studies, making the group - especially those who attend graduate school - among the most likely in the country to lack insurance, according to studies of the issue. (more)

State health insurance plan near compromise

Friday 02 May 2008 at 1:25 pm BY MARC CAPUTO
mcaputo@MiamiHerald.com

TALLAHASSEE -- Up to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians could soon buy inexpensive health-coverage packages, after legislators tentatively agreed Thursday to a two-step plan serving individuals as well as businesses.

The legislation blends Gov. Charlie Crist's proposal, offering stripped-down plans for as little as $150 a month, along with House Speaker Marco Rubio's proposal to establish a public-private corporation that acts as human-resources department and a virtual marketplace for health plans. (more)

Small businesses face huge health insurance costs

Friday 02 May 2008 at 1:21 pm Attleboro's Old Barn, an old-fashioned feed store, was on its way out of business when it caught the eye of Bob Bamberg. He had worked in the feed store business long enough to know it held tremendous potential.

He bought the store in 2003 and set about revitalizing it. Today it is a thriving shop offering a large variety of products from pet supplies to food for wild animals.

Despite the turnaround, Bamberg is still unable to offer his employees health insurance. He wants to offer them meaningful and affordable coverage, but with premiums rising by double digits annually, he said he cant afford to commit to the benefit. (more)

Congressional Budget Office gives tumbs up to universal health insurance

Friday 02 May 2008 at 1:13 pm By Matt Canham
The Salt Lake Tribune

WASHINGTON - A universal health care system overseen by the government but delivered by private companies seems to make financial sense, according to a preliminary analysis released Thursday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
The report boosts the confidence of Utah GOP Sen. Bob Bennett and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, who have meshed Republican and Democratic ideas into one proposal they hope the next president will adopt.
Bennett and Wyden "have served up health care on a silver platter for the next president," said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., one of 14 supporters of what is called the Healthy Americans Act. (more)

Health Insurance Costs Rise 10 Times Higher Than Income

Thursday 01 May 2008 at 11:12 pm Health insurance costs have risen 10 times faster than income, urging the need of new health reforms to make the health care and health insurance more affordable for individuals, families and business groups.

A study by State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota examined rising health insurance costs from 2001 to 2005 and found that although working families had a 3% increase in income, they also had a 30% increase in health insurance costs. (more)

Battered by Health Insurance

Thursday 01 May 2008 at 11:05 pm By Elizabeth Warren - May 1, 2008, 10:52AM
I spend a lot of time measuring the costs of the current health care system, mostly in counting the broken families that end up in bankruptcy. For families hit with medical bills they cannot pay, the current health care system magnifies their pain. But even those who have health insurance and can afford to pay are knocked around in a broken system. A friend--with insurance--had some minor surgery a while back. She bounced back quickly, but the pain of trying to pay is still not over:

I got a letter from the hospital very nicely demanding payment of over $500 today.The hospital thinks I owe them $438 more than I actually owe them because the insurance company sent that amount to the doctor. The doctor, of course, won't send it to the hospital. Instead, I had to call the insurance company to ask them to recall the payment so they can then send it to the hospital. (more)

How Consumers Can Force Health Reform

Thursday 01 May 2008 at 11:03 pm Smart patients, shopping wisely, are needed to bring health costs down
By Bernadine Healy M.D.
Posted May 1, 2008

The last major effort at healthcare reform 15 years ago failed because of nervous consumers. TV ads featuring Harry and Louise, the fictional middle-class couple poring over President Clinton's plan for universal coverage, became symbolic of widespread resistance to the perceived heavy hand of nanny government, trying to force one size to fit all. Now, with exorbitant costs being the overriding concern, consumerswho drive those costsmay well be the system's best hope for reform. They're motivated: As the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation just reported, the amount people pay for health insurance alone increased 30 percent between 2001 and 2005, while income went up a mere 3 percent. (more)

Aetna to prod vendors to offer health insurance

Thursday 01 May 2008 at 11:01 pm HARTFORD, Conn. - Aetna Inc. announced Thursday it will begin requiring its more than 1,300 vendors to provide employees with health insurance.

Chief Executive Ronald Williams said the Hartford-based health insurer sees "both an opportunity and an obligation" to help reduce the number of uninsured workers.

"We expect nothing less from the companies that do business with Aetna," he said in a letter to shareholders in the company's annual report. (more)