Healthcare reform was designed to help provide affordable health insurance quotes to people. Instead, it appears that a number of low-wage workers may struggle to pay for coverage even more.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that McDonald's may stop offering "mini-med" plans to its employees. Mini-med programs are not designed to replace a traditional health insurance policy, but they are an option for those seeking some level of coverage.

According to the WSJ, McDonald's told the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that it "won't meet a 2011 requirement to spend at least 80 percent to 85 percent of its premium revenue on medical care." The company cites high administrative fees for their inability to do so.

The reported news about McDonald's is just the latest of some news about the consequences of healthcare reform. At the end of September, it became illegal for health insurance companies to deny children with pre-existing conditions coverage. Prior to the law taking effect, several health insurance providers announced they would no longer be offering child-only plans.

Those who can't afford traditional health insurance plans should check to see if they meet requirements for federally-funded programs.

Anyone who has looked for affordable health insurance quotes knows that rates have been increasing. A slew of healthcare regulations have been proposed and help mitigate rate hikes and make care more accessible.

Nonprofit organization Consumer Watchdog, however, says that recent acts by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Senator Mark Leno will make it easier for health insurance providers to increase premiums. The group asserts that Californians stand to suffer financially because of the decision.

Consumer Watchdog executive director Doug Heller says that Schwarzenegger's signing of SB 1163 will allow health insurance companies to hike rates "virtually without restraint."

"Governor Schwarzenegger and Senator Leno teamed up to make it easier for health insurance companies to justify rate hike after rate hike," says Heller. "By 2014 every Californian will be forced to buy health insurance and this bill helps insurance companies while leaving consumers unprotected."

A number of health insurance companies have cited healthcare reform as their reason for recent rate increases. The Wall Street Journal reports that some insurers have been asking for premium increases between 1 percent and 9 percent.

Receiving appropriate healthcare early in life is important as it can impact a person's health in adulthood. Many families struggle to get affordable health insurance quotes and opt to go without coverage, even if they may be qualified for government-sponsored programs.

A report from Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota reveals that more than 10 percent of children living in the state were uninsured at any given time last year. Furthermore, low-income children were 3.5 times more likely to be uninsured than their wealthier counterparts.

A data analysis was conducted by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota to see how the state's children are faring in comparison to the rest of the nation. Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota president and CEO Dr. Alan Goldbloom says that while the state is doing well in some respects, other areas need improvement.

"We want to start a dialogue on the health and well-being of our children," says Goldbloom. "Overall, Minnesota ranks high in children's health. We can be proud of that, but this report shows areas of concern and we have work to do."

Without health insurance, children may not receive important preventative care or help when they are ill.

Health insurance companies are receiving a lot of scrutiny lately from the public and government officials alike. A major health insurance company has been fined $850,000 by the New York State Insurance Department after an investigation.

The health insurance provider has been found to be in violation of a number of regulations, including failure to issue benefit forms in some cases and not including proper information when a form was given.

New York State Insurance Superintendent James Wrynn says consumers need to have access to certain information.

"With medical bills so detailed and potentially confusing these days, consumers need an easy way to know how much they have to pay and why," Wrynn said. "That information should be clearly stated on the explanation of benefit form."

The health insurance company is taking the necessary actions to ensure it is in compliance with the state's regulations.

One of the reasons health insurance companies have received a great deal of attention as of late is because new laws will require most Americans to have health insurance. This could result in a number of people entering the individual health insurance market.