Health Insurance Quote - Politics & Legislation

Funding announced for patient-centered research

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it will be awarding $17 million to help improve healthcare in the country.

Three sets of grants will help fund patient-centered research. Most of the research being funded will focus on primary care and pediatrics, but some funds will also help aid research for the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Mary Wakefield says the funds will help fund programs that are normally neglected.

"These funds allow us to invest in robust systems and infrastructure to bring patient-centered research knowledge into everyday clinical decision-making for the diverse and vulnerable populations that HRSA serves, and that are often under-represented in this kind of research," says Wakefield.

Investing in healthcare research initiatives will help the country improve the healthcare system and better serve patients. Patient-centered outcomes research focuses on comparing treatments used amongst patients to determine which are most effective.

Funding for the research is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was signed by President Barack Obama in February of last year.

HHS awards funds for early retiree health insurance

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

High costs for individual health insurance programs have made many people worry about how they can afford adequate coverage. This holds true especially for those who want to retire early, but are over the age of 55.

Fortunately, financial assistance will be available for early retirees who are not eligible for Medicare yet. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently approved approximately 2,000 employers and unions to receive funds under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

"In these tough economic times, it is difficult for employers to keep up with skyrocketing health care costs for employees and retirees," said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Many Americans who retire before they are eligible for Medicare see their life savings disappear because of medical bills and exorbitant rates in the individual health insurance market."

Older Americans typically end up paying more for health insurance because they are considered a bigger liability to insure. Starting in 2014, health insurance exchanges are slated to be available for people to get individual health insurance quotes and coverage along with other valuable information.

Healthcare reform requires organizations to make changes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

The clock is ticking for many in the health care industry. With health care reform, numerous changes have to be made across the industry to be in compliance with new laws and regulations.

Many people are familiar with the requirement for most Americans to obtain health insurance. Some people may opt for group health insurance coverage through their employer while others may end up going with an individual health insurance plan. How a person goes about getting health insurance will ultimately depend on their own personal situation.

Another change coming to the health care industry is the full switch to electronic health records by 2014. For some, making the switch to EHRs may be difficult.

Protus vice president of marketing Steve Adams suggests organizations switch over to internet faxing to help ease the transition. Adams notes that with traditional fax machines, "the paper documents they produce require extra steps in order to be entered into an EHR system. Switching from a fax machine or fax server to an internet fax service is quick and easy, and will save healthcare organizations a lot of work in both the short- and long-term."

States awarded funds to combat health insurance premium increases

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Health insurance companies have a lot to look out for these days. With the deadline for nationally mandatory health insurance still four years away, some companies may be trying to institute insurance hikes.

Under the Affordable Care Act, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced grant money totaling $46 million will be awarded to 45 states and the District of Columbia to help combat health insurance premium hikes.

"As we continue to implement the new health insurance reform law, we will continue to work with states to ensure they have the tools they need to ensure the stability of the marketplace, keep costs low and provide consumers with increased transparency, choice and quality they need to make the best health care decisions for their businesses and families," said Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight director Jay Angoff.

There are several ways states have proposed using the funding. One way some states want to use the funds is to help create programs that will require approval before any rate increases can take place. Other states have proposed to use the funds to help make the health insurance review process more consumer-focused.

Group files lawsuit against healthcare bill

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Healthcare reform has been viewed as a necessity by many people. Proponents for the reform say that health insurance shouldn't be considered a right, but something that is available to everyone. However, not everyone thinks that requiring health insurance is such a good idea.

The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute isn't so fond of healthcare reform. In fact, the watchdog organization is filing a lawsuit in an attempt to "protect health care freedom and preserve constitutional checks and balances."

Under healthcare reform, most Americans will be required to obtain health insurance. Small business owner and lead plaintiff Nick Coons says that he shouldn't have to get health insurance if he doesn't want to.

"The government is making me spend money on something that I don't want," says Coons. "Is a stranger who works for the government in some other part of the country really going to know what I need? I am the best qualified to make these decisions for myself."

People who fail to obtain health insurance by 2014 won't get away without a price. Those who neglect to get coverage stand to be fined by the Internal Revenue Service.

Group urges government to look into insurance hikes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Consumer advocacy groups are calling for the government to look into premium hikes instituted by health insurance companies.

Consumer Watchdog and the Center for Media and Democracy assert that health insurance companies are jacking up their premiums before new legislation takes effect. A letter was sent to the Obama administration from the group asking them to look into the matter.

"Insurance companies appear to be making sure that when new federal rules for spending on health care kick in next year, they can keep their administrative bloat and profits intact," says Consumer Watchdog research director Judy Dugan.

Under healthcare reform, health insurance companies will be required to use a certain portion of premium money towards paying for care, rather than overhead costs. The watchdog group asserts that such a change is causing companies to raise prices.

Wendell Potter of the Center for Media and Democracy notes that recently Cigna reported spending 6.4 percent less on medical spending than they were before.

Earlier this year, a major health insurance company withdrew its proposal to significantly increase rates after it was determined that mathematical errors were made on the insurance agency's behalf.

Funding announced for vaccine and infection research

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Work is underway to see how humans respond to various infections and vaccines. The $100 million in funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases will help cover research expenses.

The studies being done at six Human Immune Phenotyping Centers on infections and vaccinations is different in that the research will be done on humans, rather than on animals.

West Nile is one of the viruses that will be researched. The Mayo Clinic says that most people don't become seriously ill with the virus. In most cases, mild symptoms include fever and headache.

Learning how different populations respond to various elements will greatly help doctors learn how to best treat patients. NIAID director of the Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation division Dr. Daniel Rotrosen says that the research will help broaden doctor's knowledge about how the human body works.

"The knowledge gained also will improve our understanding of the range of vaccine responses in particular subpopulations, including newborns, young children, the elderly, patients taking immunosuppressive medications and those with underlying diseases of the immune system, such as allergy and autoimmune diseases," Dr. Rotrosen said.

California health care workers protest new legislation

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Healthcare reform hasn't won over some doctors and health care professionals in San Diego. This past weekend, hundreds of health care workers converged on Harbor Island for "The National Doctor's Tea Party" to protest "ObamaCare," reports ABC affiliate KGTV.

Those who are against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act believe that patients will ultimately suffer because of the law. Under healthcare reform, all Americans will be required to have health insurance begging in 2014. Protester Dr. Adam Dorin told KGTV that he believes "ObamaCare" will prevent him from providing care to his patients.

"Quality is going to go down; it's going to get more difficult," Dorin told the news station. "We're going to have more people in the system with quality of care probably not what it is today."

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an organization that promotes the tea parties, say that requiring people to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. The organization asserts that the new regulations will place them under tighter oversight by insurance companies and stifle innovation by doctors.

HHS gives $159 million to fund health care training

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

As the American population continues to age, the need for qualified health care professionals continues to grow. However, there may not be enough workers to fill this need.

In order to help fund training for health care workers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will award more than $159 million in grant money to help train geriatric specialists and recruit minorities.

It's hoped that the money will enhance the quality of health and better serve people. The Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that building a strong health care system is crucial to the country's well-being.

"We cannot build a healthier America if our country continues to face a growing health professions shortage," says Sebelius. "A well-trained, educated and diverse workforce is critical to meeting future health care demands, and to reforming the nation's health care system."

The U.S. Department of Labor says that the need for registered nurses is expected to grow more quickly than average for all occupations. The department predicts that the need for registered nurses alone will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Clinical Trials Act passed by Senate

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Enhancements in treating cystic fibrosis have extended the life expectancy of many who suffer from the condition. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation says that as recently as the 1950's, people with the condition rarely lived long enough to attend school. Today, however, people can expect to live into their 40s.

Despite such great strides, more work needs to be done. The U.S. Senate recently passed the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act, which will allow patients with rare diseases the chance to take part in clinical trials while still receiving public health care benefits.

"We are one step closer to breaking down a serious barrier to participation in clinical trials, which one day could deliver a cure for cystic fibrosis," said Cystic Fibrosis Foundation president and CEO Robert Beall. "This legislation represents an important opportunity for people with CF to take part in groundbreaking research that was previously out of their reach."

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation asserts that many people with rare diseases don't participate in clinical trials because the compensation would make them ineligible for government medical programs.

Fortunately for people with serious medical conditions, new health care rules will bar health insurance companies from denying them coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

New program offers health care savings

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

With the costs of health care continuing to rise, many employers are finding that their budgets are being squeezed. One way some companies are cutting costs is through offering programs aimed at making employees healthier.

One program employers can use is offered through Fidelity and RedBrick Health. The program, referred to as an integrated health engagement platform, has employees complete an interactive health assessment online. The software creates a "Personal HealthMap" which is a customized health profile with instructions on how to improve and maintain health.

"Employers are struggling to manage rising health care costs for their workers and increasing engagement in health management programs is one very effective way of doing that for both the employer and the employee," said workplace investing at Fidelity Investments president James MacDonald.

In addition to becoming healthier, the program allows employers to reward employees for their healthy lifestyle decisions with rewards like contributions to a company 401(k) program.

Research shows that preventative care measures can save money on the long-run. Employers stand to benefit from having healthier employees that will require fewer sick days and won't drive up the costs of group health insurance plans.

Number of adults joining parents' health insurance plans difficult to estimate

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Under health care reform, adult children are allowed to stay on their parent's health insurance plan until the age of 26. The Employee Benefit Research Institute says that previous estimates of between 680,000 to 2.1 million young adults taking advantage may be incorrect.

The EBRI notes that it's not easy to estimate how many parents will decide to enroll their adult children onto their health insurance plan. They note that some individuals within the 19-25 year old age bracket that currently get their health insurance through another medium, such as Medicaid, may switch to their parent's plan.

"It is critical that group plans and insurers understand the size and characteristics of the 19 to 25-year-old population that might be eligible for their parents' health coverage in order to determine the impact that this provision of PPACA may have on enrollment and costs of employment-based coverage," wrote EBRI health research and education program director Paul Fronstin.

Young adults are are more likely than any other age group to go without health insurance. Government data shows that 39 percent of adults between the ages of 19 and 29 lack health insurance.

HHS rules to require hospitals to post acquired infection data

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Most people go to the hospital with the expectation that they will leave in better health than when they came in. For some people, however, that doesn't end up being the case. Under some circumstances, patients acquire an infection while receiving care.

Effective next year, consumers will be able to compare how well a hospital is doing in preventing acquired infections.

Some say that providing access to such information is setting the grounds for making patient care safer.

"Patients shouldn't have to worry about getting sicker with an infection they catch in the hospital but every year nearly two million Americans do," said Consumers Union's Safe Patient Project director Lisa McGiffert.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates healthcare-associated infections cost hospitals between $28 and $45 billion dollars per year.

There are steps that hospitals can take to help lessen patients' chances of infection. The Safe Patient Project says that a leading Johns Hopkins doctor has devised a checklist that may reduce infections by as much as two-thirds.

Hospitals which take part in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services "pay-for-reporting" program will be required to post their infection rate information online. Most hospitals participate in the program to receive higher Medicare payments.

Majority down on health care, poll finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Health care in the United States has been a major topic of discussion - and disagreement - for quite some time, and that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon.

Optimism towards health care reform seems to be dwindling. A telephone survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports found that 57 percent of respondents indicated that they think the new health care law will negatively impact the country. Slightly more think that repealing the health care law is a good idea.

Rasmussen says that is the highest percentage on record since they started tracking the public's sentiment late in March.

Notably, Republicans and unaffiliated voters tend to more strongly feel that the health care bill is bad for the country. Democrats, on the other hand, tend to feel that the new law will be beneficial and support it.

The health care law has numerous provisions aimed at making health care more accessible to all citizens. Some of the ways the government plans on doing this are expanding Medicare and prohibiting health insurance companies from denying people coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Healthcare reform has many confused, poll finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Confusion about healthcare reform still abounds for many, a Health Day/Harris Poll found.

Over 60 percent of the 2,100 polled were unaware that the new healthcare laws will increase the number of people who qualify for Medicaid. Just under three-quarters of those polled didn't know that there will be a new tax placed on medical devices.

Some believe that the widespread misunderstanding of healthcare reform stems from the fact that the system is confusing to begin with.

"The problem for the (Obama) administration is healthcare reform is fiendishly complicated because the healthcare system is fiendishly complicated, and it is not politically feasible to tear up the system and build it again," says Harris Poll chairman Humphrey Taylor. "Instead you have to build on the system that you have. When you try to build on a fiendishly complicated system, you have fiendishly complicated reforms."

On a positive note, nearly 60 percent reported knowing that private insurance companies will no longer be able to deny them coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Currently, people with a pre-existing illness can get coverage through either a state or government-sponsored program if they've been uninsured for at least six months until 2014.

Patients empowered to appeal health insurance decisions

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Patients who have disagreed with their health insurance company will now have the government supporting their right to an appeal.

Thanks to new regulation from Congress, patients in all states will have the right to dispute decisions made by their health insurance company. The government is also granting states up to $30 million in funds to help establish consumer assistance offices.

U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that a consumer's right to dispute a decision made by their health insurance provider gives them greater control over their care.

"Today, if your health plan tells you it won't cover a treatment your doctor recommends, or it refuses to pay the bill for your child's last trip to the emergency room, you may not know where to turn," says Sebelius. "The Affordable Care Act provisions announced today will provide patients with new important new rights and resources that will help ensure they get the care they need."

Maine's Bureau of Insurance recommends that consumers ask plenty of questions when selecting a health insurance provider. They recommend inquiring about rate changes with age, prescription coverage and co-payments, to name a few things.

Funds available to support home visiting programs for at-risk families

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Strong parenting skills aren't something everyone naturally has. Becoming a parent at a young age can also add to the stresses of paying everyday expenses like food and housing.

Research has shown that programs where nurses and social workers visit at risk-families helps build stronger parenting skills and reduce strain on the medical system.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that $88 million in grants under the Affordable Care Act will be awarded to states to help fund such programs.

"These investments will help states to create and support evidence-based home visiting programs that improve the wellbeing of children and families," says Health Resources and Services Administration administrator Mary Wakefield. "States will be using these grants to design programs that best serve their residents, providing important help to at-risk families, while gathering more detailed information on which approaches work best to put young children on the path to a healthy life at an early age."

The Center for American Progress says that poverty-stricken women are more likely to have an array of health conditions like diabetes and depression. Programs where in-home assistance is offered may help some families stop the poverty cycle and reliance on the healthcare system.

Healthcare summit aims to stop fraud

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

People who try to cheat the healthcare system end up costing taxpayers money every year. That is why leaders are meeting to discuss methods to combat the problem.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder started a series of summits in Florida this month.

"Thanks to new tools contained in the Affordable Care Act, we are more prepared than ever to safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure that the health care coverage of our seniors, families and children is secure," says Sebelius.

During the summit, panel discussions for health care providers and law enforcement officials were held. Seniors could also take part in sessions to become educated on how to detect and report Medicare fraud. Consumers should be suspicious of suppliers who offer free equipment or services in exchange for a Medicare number, for example.

Healthcare fraud results in wasted taxpayer money and people paying more for health insurance. The government says that more than $2.5 billion was put back into the Medicare Trust Fund last year as a result of their anti-fraud efforts.

Government calls for preventive screening coverage

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Many Americans don't take the necessary steps to take care of their health, including getting appropriate preventative screenings.

Cost may be one reason why too many go without this care, but new government rules aim to make it easier for people to gain access to services they need.

Effective for new plans commencing on or after September 23 of this year, health insurance companies will be required to cover costs associated with preventative services that have been proven to have health benefits.

Receiving regular screenings can help patients delay and even avoid the onset of many costly conditions.

"Getting access to early care and screenings will go a long way in preventing chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure," says First Lady Michelle Obama.

The American Diabetes Association says that 7.8 percent of people in the country had diabetes in 2007. If people are aware that they are at a high risk of developing the disease, patients can take appropriate actions to get their health in order. This knowledge could greatly reduce health care and health insurance costs.

Latino organization applauds Affordable Care Act

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

The Latino community is one of many that will greatly benefit from the Affordable Care Act.

Health insurance will be extended to nine million Latinos under health care reform, says the League of United Latin American Citizens.

LULAC says that they aim to ensure that that insurance companies don't deny people health coverage when they get sick, Medicare recipients can pay for their prescriptions and that all people have access to preventative care.

"Health care reform brings us closer to establishing health care as a civil right," says LULAC president Rosa Rosales. "With one in three Latinos lacking health insurance coverage, Hispanic families have suffered more than any other ethnic group due to lack of coverage and inadequate care."

In addition to the Latino community, people from a range of backgrounds and income levels stand to gain from the Affordable Care Act.

Provisions under the Act aim to help everyone from seniors to low-income children get affordable access to quality health care. Expanded Medicare coverage and health insurance markets along with other resources are being created to bring coverage to all citizens.

Definition of meaningful use of electronic health records firmed up

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

There has been much discussion over the use of electronic health records, and now the government has devised a final set of rules to define "meaningful use," to which hospitals will have to adhere.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius this month announced the final rules. Some highlights of the rule include enhanced flexibility in regards to allowing hospitals to meet objectives of meaningful EHR use.

It is hoped that by expanding use of EHRs, patients and health care providers will ultimately find health care costs go down while increasing safety.

"Health care is finally making the technology advances that other sectors of our economy began to undertake years ago," says health information technology national coordinator Dr. David Blumenthal. "Adoption and meaningful use of EHRs will help providers deliver better and more effective care, and the benefits for patients and providers alike will grow rapidly over time."

One of the main reasons hospitals have been slow to embrace EHRs is cost. While the initial investment associated with going electronic may seem high, it could potentially save hospitals money.

Government creates tougher privacy laws

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

At a time where there is a big push towards moving medical records and other related documents to an electronic system, some people have become increasingly concerned about privacy.

To help ameliorate concerns and reduce risks, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created more rules, which will include stronger security when third parties handle health data.

The new rule is intended to broaden a person's right to obtain their own information and bar the sale of patient information without consent.

"The benefits of health IT can only be fully realized if patients and providers are confident that electronic health information is kept private and secure at all times," said HSS Office for Civil Rights director Georgina Verdugo. "This proposed rule strengthens the privacy and security of health information, and is an integral piece of the administration's efforts to broaden the use of health information technology in health care today."

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 established restrictions on who can access a person's medical records to help keep such information private and confidential. Most health care providers are required by law to follow the rules.

Wellness programs awarded grant money

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Health and wellness organizations from around the country are being awarded money by the government to help provide guidance and to sustain disease prevention efforts.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving away $1 million to 10 organizations that have a national presence and aim to reduce tobacco use and obesity.

A large number of deaths result from conditions that could have been mitigated through proper diet and exercise. It is hoped that the selected programs will help people live healthier lives.

"In the United States, seven of 10 deaths result from chronic disease, with tobacco, obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity as the key risk factors for disease," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh. "We are proud to partner with these national organizations that have proven their expertise and will advance progress in helping Americans achieve and enjoy better health."

The National Recreation and Park Association is one of the 10 organizations receiving a government grant. The NRPA provides a variety of services, including summer feeding programs for children who get free or reduced-cost lunch during the school year.

Conversations surrounding healthcare expenses rise

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

People are becoming more concerned about health care costs associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Car Act, according to the Healthcare Narrative Tracker.

The research reported by OpenConnect consists of an analysis of internet, print and electronic media sources. Information derived from conversations on social media outlets were also taken into consideration.

Discussions about escalating expenses outnumbered those concerned with keeping expenses down by 40 percent.

The Healthcare Narrative Tracker shows that people are knowledgeable and fearful about the costs healthcare reform will bring.

"Policies need to be evaluated by the effect they will have on the cost incurred with their implementation," says OpenConnect CEO Edward Peters. "The economics of healthcare reform need to be based on changes that help pay for themselves rather than make the problem worse."

Costs for health-related care has been rapidly increasing. The U.S. has some of the highest healthcare costs out of all the industrialized countries. The Kaiser Family Foundation says that over $2.3 trillion was spent on healthcare expenses in 2008, over three times the amount spent in 1990.

Government to award $25 million in aid to young parents

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Teens and women who are pregnant or already have a family will now have additional support through the Pregnancy Assistance Fund.

Under the Affordable Care Act, the Pregnancy Assistance Fund will offer 25 grants worth $500,000 to $2 million a year to states who apply for the assistance. Funds totaling $25 million will be available each year.

States can use the funds to help provide services that will assist young parents earn high school or collegiate degrees and improve access to health and child care programs.

"The opportunity created by the Affordable Care Act will provide states and tribes needed assistance to support vulnerable teens and women who are pregnant and parenting," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The Pregnancy Assistance Fund provides states the opportunity to link these families to health, education, child care, and other supports that can help brighten the futures of parents and their children."

The teen birth rate is on the rise, making the need to fund programs for young parents crucial. The Centers for Disease Control report that there was a 3 percent increase in the birth rate for teenagers 15 to 19 years old in 2006.

Funds awarded to healthcare students

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Hundreds of healthcare students will become recipients of funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Award funds totaling $96 million will help fund scholarships and grants for students demonstrating need and coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A portion of the funds are from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is designed to strengthen the health care system.

"The health professions workforce in the United States does not reflect the population it serves," said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "These funds will help support the education of disadvantaged students who are more likely to go on to serve in underserved areas, and will expand the training of nurse faculty in exchange for their service."

Under health care reform, more Americans will be required to have health insurance. Some people are concerned that the growing number of people with coverage will create longer waits for doctor visits and other care services unless more health professionals are hired.

The Association of American Medical Colleges says that the country could be facing a major shortage of doctors in the near future. To help alleviate the potential shortage of medical staff, the AAMC is supporting a 30 percent increase in enrollment in medical schools.

Patient advocate group pushes for legislative action

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

A group of patient advocates with representatives from all 50 states are meeting in Washington, D.C. to discuss access and care needs of those with life-threatening conditions.

The Patient Advocate Foundation is seeking legislative action to ensure patients have access to the care they need.

PAE chief executive officer Nancy Davenport-Ennis says that that last year, two-thirds of the patients that contacted the foundation for assistance were struggling financially because of health care expenses. Eighty percent of those patients reported struggling even though they had health insurance.

"We are committed to creating programs and services that ensure no patient is turned away and that all people receive the quality care they need and deserve," says Davenport-Ennis. "We will continue working with Congressional leaders to ensure that patients across the nation are protected from health care discrimination and the many forms that it takes."

Health care costs can run so high that they deplete whole savings accounts. Earlier this month, the American Cancer Society released results from a poll that revealed a third of cancer victims had difficulty paying for basic needs like food and housing.

Many hospitals lag behind in meaningful use of electronic records

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Despite having funds to transition to computerized medical records, many hospitals say they don't believe they will be able to "meaningfully use" them by the government deadline of 2015, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey.

Hospital chief information officers also said that they are uncertain of their ability to meet later deadlines as well, according to the survey. Other requirements include the ability to share information electronically with insurers and patients.

Most hospitals are lagging behind because they lack properly trained staff. PricewaterhouseCoopers says the government estimates a shortage of 50,000 qualified health IT workers.

Getting everyone on board with EHRs will help create meaningful use, says PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"Nowhere would the meaningful use of EHRs be more valuable than in a hospital emergency department, where it could mean life or death for a patient," PricewaterhouseCoopers leader of the health information practice Daniel Garrett said. "Emergency department physicians aren't eligible for stimulus incentives but their meaningful use of EHRs is crucial to the hospital and its patients."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that EHRs are an important tool to help avoid medical errors and increase medical record accuracy.

Early retirees can now apply for government health insurance coverage

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

A $5 billion program designed to provide health insurance for early retirees is now accepting applications.

The Early Retiree Insurance program will help provide coverage to people who are retired, but don't qualify for Medicare coverage yet.

When employees retire before 65, they can obtain health insurance coverage from their employer until they are old enough for Medicare.

With the program, employers will be eligible to receive funds that cover up to 80 percent of medical claim fees costing between $15,000 and $90,000. The coverage will be extended to retirees who are at least 55 years old as well as their spouses and dependents.

"The Affordable Care Act not only helps consumers cut their health care costs and have more access to quality care, it also is designed to help employers afford coverage," says U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will help employers continue to provide much-needed health insurance to their retirees."

Medicare provides coverage for hospital visits and doctor care to the elderly and people with certain medical conditions.

Health insurance rate hike requests withdrawn after errors found

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Two major California health insurance companies have withdrawn requests to raise their premiums, according to state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.

Substantial math errors were found in the paperwork submitted by both insurance companies, says Poizner. The commissioner says he is optimistic that in the future, health insurance companies will be more diligent in checking their calculations before applying for rate increase approval.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that actions like those taken in California are crucial to keeping the health insurance market competitive.

"I applaud California for its decision to shine more light on skyrocketing insurance rates and demand more accountability after uncovering that a second insurer used faulty math to try to justify exorbitant health insurance premium increases," Sebelius said in a release. "Finally, the power is shifting back to consumers thanks to the strong actions on the part of the states, and new protections and accountability under the Affordable Care Act."

The Affordable Care Act will require Americans to have health insurance coverage. Some have expressed concerns that insurers will not be held accountable for rate hikes and trap consumers into paying more.

Women back in control, says Sebelius

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

There are several provisions in the Affordable Care Act that will make the health care industry fairer towards women. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlighted some key health care changes while speaking to the National Partnership for Women and Families.

Under the Act, health insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping women from a plan due to sickness. Placing lifetime and annual limits in all new insurance plans will also be barred.

To help keep costs down for women, a cap will be imposed on how much health insurance companies can require women to contribute towards their care.

"With the Affordable Care Act, we're putting women back in control," says Sebelius. "When you look at the full range of women's health needs and the full range of reforms in this new law, the Affordable Care Act is the best women's health bill since Medicare."

Health care reform won't just help women obtain the coverage they need. Young adults are another group that is undeserved by the health care system. Another provision allows single adult children under the age of 26 to remain on their parent's health insurance plan.

Patients report little change after reform

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Since health care reform took place in Massachusetts, patients report little change in several aspects of their care, according to Massachusetts Health Quality Partners.

In a few key areas, patients didn't mark a noticiable difference in the care they are receiving now compared to a few years ago.

Both this year and in 2007, 30 percent of patients reported that they didn't always receive follow-ups on test results, says MHQP. Also unchanged is the number of adults, 40 percent, who reported that their primary care physician wasn't knowledgeable about the care they received from a specialist.

Improvements in the doctor-patient relationship were noted from 2007, however, as the number of patients who said their doctors were insufficiently familiar with their medical history dipped to 30 percent.

"These results reflect the ongoing challenges primary care physicians face working within the current fragmented health care system," said president of the Massachusetts Medical Society Alice Coombs. "The good news is that so many physician practices in Massachusetts are performing very well in a less-than-ideal health care system and meeting their patients' expectations for excellent, patient-centered care."

Massachusetts implemented health care reform a few years ago and has served as a barometer of the possible effects of more widespread overhauls.

Low-income workers wait until 2014 for health care coverage

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Health care reform in Massachusetts extended coverage to many people who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it, but some people will continue to go without until 2014, when the federal law kicks in.

Advocates are saying that it is unfair to force the uninsured low-income workers to wait four more years for health insurance, reports the Globe. The health insurance law in Massachusetts brought coverage to many low-income people, but left a gap of people with full-time jobs who cannot afford coverage through work and do not qualify for state programs.

The federal health care reform will help fill the gap found in Massachusetts.

"The federal law learned from our experience, both good and bad, and saw this as a deficiency in health reform," research director for the consumer group Health Care for All Brian Rosman told the Globe. "It's not that they just copied what worked here. They also saw things that maybe didn't work and fixed it."

State health insurance is costly. A proposed budget of $869 million was given last year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, marking an increase of $400 million from the previous year.

Health care to trouble Michigan even with reform

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Major health care challenges plague Michigan even as reform is on the way, a report by the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation found.

Almost 40 percent of Michigan residents either lack health insurance or rely on the state for assistance, according to the CHRT study. Coverage through employers has also declined faster than the national average in the state.

Stress on the state budget for health care is expected to rise. Over a million people are projected to obtain coverage through state-run programs in 2014, the study found. Hospitals have been increasingly left uncompensated for the care they provide.

These findings represent upcoming challenges for the state.

"Michigan's safety net system is overloaded and shows no signs of abating in the near term even with health care reform," says CHRT director Marianne Udow-Phillips. "Michigan has far fewer federally funded health care centers than other states. The enormous strain on the state's health care system is growing as more people lose employer-based coverage."

Health care costs in the U.S. are some of the steepest out of all the industrialized countries, says the Kaiser Family Foundation, growing faster than inflation and income levels.

Coalition targets environmental law

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Taking precautionary measures against harmful substances can keep Americans safe and affordable health insurance quotes within reach.

The oil spill in the Gulf Coast, however, has served as a reminder of the toxic chemicals companies aim to control. This has motivated the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition to launch the I Am Not a Guinea Pig campaign, according to a recent release.

The target of the campaign is the Toxic Substances Control Act, a 34-year-old law aimed at giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power to control dangerous chemicals. The law is weak, according to the release, and should be replaced with the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010. This bill was proposed by U.S. Senator Lautenberg and strengthens many of the provisions in the former law.

"Chemicals should meet a standard of safety for all people, and especially vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women," Andy Igrejas, national campaign director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, said. "That can only happen when Congress hears from fed-up Americans tired of being treated like Guinea pigs."

Members of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition include Teens Turning Green, Health Care Without Harm, Learning Disabilities Association of America and more. Resources available on www.saferchemicals.org are catered toward teen, children and health professionals.

Massachusetts may provide insight into federal health plan effectiveness

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Looking at the successes and shortfalls of the health care system in Massachusetts may shed light on what will take place nationwide, says CNN Money. The main components of the nationwide plan mirror those that have been implemented in Massachusetts.

Health care costs in the Bay State were the highest in the country when reform took place in 2006 and expenses have not decreased, according to CNN Money.

Premiums in Massachusetts increased dramatically as older and less healthy people joined plans. CNN Money says that even with a fine, a large number of young adults opt to be uninsured because the premiums are more costly.

There is also concern that employers will begin to drop health insurance as a benefit, forcing employees to turn to government-run programs for assistance, says CNN Money. An large increase would hurt already expensive and financially strapped government programs like Medicare.

Balancing health care for all Americans against expenses is something that the government is trying to get a grasp on. Health care reform is something that is seen as a necessity by many in the country, but how effective it will be is unclear.

Reform will save money, Maine says

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Amidst all the concerns about how much health care is going to cost down the road, Maine is predicting it will save money under the reform.

A state analysis looking at the impact of the federal health care law reveals that the state could save $31.8 million in 2014, reports the Bangor Daily News.

The potential savings would come after an initial expense to the state.

"This is a far-reaching projection," said Department of Health and Human Services commissioner Brenda Harvey. "There are also some policy decisions that will need to be made that will impact these estimates."

The state stands to save money by switching parents with incomes in excess of 133 percent of the federal poverty level from Medicare to a health insurance exchange. Savings will also be made through the continuation of the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The health insurance exchange is intended to create a competitive market in the insurance industry through offering a variety of plans and providing coverage to more people. Consumers will also receive more help to understand the options available to them.

Insurance rule aims at keeping coverage affordable

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Recent healthcare provisions unveiled by the Obama administration could ensure that group health insurance plans become - and remain - affordable.

Businesses that reduce benefits, make modest increases to co-payments or significantly amp up premiums will lose their "grandfather" status, according to a recent report by Kaiser Health News. When this happens, employers will be forced to foot new, more expensive insurance rules.

These provisions are aimed at enabling individuals to benefit from recent health reform while maintaining their current coverage. Specific changes that could cost a company its grandfather status include cutting coverage for employees with AIDS or diabetes, decreasing the portion of premiums paid by employers by more than 5 percentage points or increase co-payments by $5 or more, according to the report.

"This seems reasonable, balancing the need for consumer protections with the need to maintain stability in the health insurance marketplace during this transition period leading up to 2014," DeAn Friedholm, director of health reform for Consumers Union, was quoted as saying.

Other healthcare reforms prohibit insurers from dropping or charging increased insurance quotes to consumers with pre-existing health conditions.

$25 million to help prevent medical mistakes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Funds will be available to help create projects that will make a marked difference in safety and care for patients, announced the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Health Care Research and Quality.

Funds totaling $25 million will be divided into three-year grants worth up to $3 million and one-year grants worth $300,000 for implementation, evaluating patient safety, and medical liability reform.

The goal of the program is to provide funding for programs that will help cut back on the number of preventable patient injuries and facilitate better communication between doctors and patients.

"This new research is the largest government investment connecting medical liability to quality and aims to improve the overall quality of health care," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

President Barack Obama announced the initiative to combat medical malpractice in September of last year. According to the government, there have been numerous reports of problems with the system.

The Health and Human Services department cites a report by the Institute of Medicine that states between 44,000 and 98,000 people die a year from medical mistakes.

Three health insurers placed on administrative oversight in MA

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Massachusetts state officials have their eyes set on three health insurance companies, reports the Boston Globe.

Letters were sent to three major health insurance companies as concerns over their financial well-being arose, according to the Globe. Negotiations are still on the table with two of the companies, while one has already agreed to administrative oversight.

Officials told the Globe that it's not uncommon for there to be administrative oversight of two insurers per year and that such monitoring typically ends in less than 12 months. One of the insurers in question edured a state denial for premium hikes earlier this year.

The companies need to supply the state with information regarding their finances, including income statements, says the Globe.

President of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans Lora Pellegrini told the Globe that the imposed oversight is the result of rate caps.

"If the Governor keeps the rate caps in place, I can guarantee you all of the plans could have serious financial issues," says Pellegrini in the Globe report.

The Bay State isn't the only one where health insurers are facing more intense scrutiny. Earlier this month, both Pennsylvania and New York officials publicly clamped down on health insurance companies.

Reinsurance funds won't last long, study finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Reinsurance funds used to help employers extend health insurance benefits to early retirees are expected to run out within two years, a report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found.

Part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the reinsurance program is supposed to help former employees cover their medical expenses. The EBRI says that the funds are designed to help provide coverage for those who are over 55 and not eligible for Medicare.

"This article finds that if the subsidy were drawn down for all early retirees and their dependents, $2.5 billion of the $5 billion available would be exhausted in the first year of the program," says EBRI. "The $5 billion would last no more than two years and would not be available in 2012 or 2013."

The government program is designed to reimburse former employees for 80 percent of benefit costs for claims over $15,000. The program became effective at the beginning of this month and it is scheduled to run until the funds are no longer available, but no later than January 1, 2014.

Reform raises concern, poll finds

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

People who feel they have enough health insurance are satisfied with their plan, but many are concerned that health care reform may change that, a poll conducted by Deloitte found.

Just over 60 percent of respondents with employer-sponsored health insurance are concerned that their benefits won't be as extensive for dependents under health care reform, the poll revealed. Almost a third believe that their employer may stop offering health insurance.

"Anxiety about current and future health insurance coverage will continue to be a major issue for American consumers as health care reform is implemented nationally," says executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions Paul Keckley. "Our research shows that consumers who are covered through Medicare are more highly satisfied with their health care services than those in employer-sponsored plans."

Survey respondents also revealed that they were concerned that there will be an increase in taxes and premiums because of health care reform.

Medical costs have been escalating over the years. More than $2.3 trillion was spent on health care in 2008, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Mitigating costs is one of the ultimate goals of the reform.

NY stops health insurance rate hikes without approval

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

New York is taking a stand against health insurance premium increases and will now require insurers to obtain approval before increases can go into effect, says The Buffalo News.

The state did have a system in place 10 years ago that was supposed to prevent unreasonable premium increases, but this ended in 1996, reports the Buffalo News.

The new bill will help keep insurance affordable and protect consumers, according to proponents of the plan.

"New York has taken a major step toward more affordable health coverage," said legislative counsel for New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage Mark Scherzer. "The new law will provide welcome help to consumers who have endured years of unreasonable rate increases."

The law will be in effect starting October 1. The Buffalo News says that the state and consumers will be able to comment on rate applications.

Health insurance price hikes are something the government is paying close attention to. Earlier this month, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a government grant program designed to help states create plans to strengthen oversight of the health care system. The grant will provide $250 million in aid over the next five years.

Health insurance companies under fire in PA

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Some of Pennsylvania's largest health insurance companies are under investigation for their high rate increases, according to Governor Edward Rendell.

In particular, the Insurance Department is looking into the correlation between the rate hikes and health profiling.

In light of the number of new customers health insurance agencies will get due to health care reform, Rendell said that he finds the price increases disheartening.

"Federal health reform brings many opportunities for health insurance companies, starting with 32 million new customers," said Rendell. "So I am disappointed to see these companies hiking premiums for those most in need of health care, especially when they know that all discrimination against sick people will be prohibited in 2014 under the federal reform law."

Rendell says that the rate hikes are tied to health insurance companies trying to get the most money they can before federal reform is in place.

Health insurance price hikes aren't just a problem in Pennsylvania. Earlier this week, the government announced that they will be awarding $250 million in grant money to states throughout the next five years to help create programs to oversee health insurers.

Health care law helps pregnant women and new mothers

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Pregnant women and new mothers will gain access to a range of services under health care reform, reports Kaiser Health News.

Under health care reform, the requirements to qualify for Medicaid will be eased. Currently many pregnant women who qualify for Medicaid lose health insurance coverage once they give birth, KHN reports.

Some health insurance agencies are allowed to consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition, resulting in increased fees or refusal to cover, says KHN. In 2014, that will no longer be the case. Health insurance companies will have to provide coverage for maternity and childbirth services.

Over the next five years, $1.5 billion dollars will be used to expand home-visiting program, says KHN. Such programs provide funding for nurses to visit teenagers and young mothers. The nurses help prepare and teach the new mothers how to care for their babies.

Such programs can have a long-term impact on mothers and their children.

"Studies show that participating mothers actually spend less time on welfare and food stamps," reports USA Today. "Studies also show that home visiting saves up to $5.70 for every dollar invested."

Ohio law allows children up to age 28 to stay on parents' health insurance

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Adult children in Ohio can stay on their parents' health insurance plans up to age 28 starting July 1.

Ohio will join the ranks of New York, Florida, Nebraska and New Jersey as states where adult children older than 26 can stay on their parents plan, reports Reuters. However, married children will not be eligible.

Young adults are more likely than any other age group to lack health insurance, according to Reuters. This because young adults are more likely to hold entry-level jobs that don't offer health insurance.

The new law only impacts companies where employees have to purchase health insurance, says Reuters. Self-insured companies only have to offer coverage until age 26, although supporters of the law are urging companies to comply even though they don't have to.

It's estimated that 20,000 will be eligible for coverage under the law, says Reuters.

Nationwide, adults up to age 26 will be eligible to remain on their parents' policies if they can't get insurance on their own under the Affordable Care Act. Starting in 2014, they can stay on their parents' plan even if they can get it through their own employer.

Grant to help states fund health insurance review programs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Government aid totaling $51 million will be available to states to help devise a process to review health insurance premium requests.

Over the next five years, $250 million will be available to states in Health Insurance Premium Review Grants through the Affordable Care Act.

States must submit a plan outlining how the funds would help them devise a plan to review health insurance premium requests. Funds will be available to winning states this year after rate review regulations take in effect.

"These new grants will help states protect consumers and small employers by holding insurers accountable for unreasonable insurance rate increases that have made coverage unaffordable for many American families, says U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "By strengthening oversight of insurance premiums, these grants will help put affordable coverage back within the reach for Americans who have been hit hard by skyrocketing costs."

There are numerous provisions under the Affordable Care Act that are designed to make health care more accessible to Americans. The benefits of health care reform will vary for each individual state.

Uncertainty about health care reform persists

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Republicans and Democrats remain divided over health care reform, but both sides are willing to give the plan a try and make revisions as necessary, reports the Associated Press.

Health care reform was designed to made affordable health care available to all Americans. To do that, the government is changing the qualification requirements for Medicaid so more people will qualify for the plan.

The law also seeks to make the health insurance market more competitive and will bar insurers from rejecting consumers based on previously-existing medical conditions.

New rules will also allow adult children to remain on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.

Despite the positive impact reform is suppose to have, surveys on Americans feelings' towards health care reform reveals their uncertainty.

"Americans' nuanced outlook is reflected in some recent polls, reports the Associated Press. "For example, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey found the public tilting against the law 44-38, with 36 percent saying the quality of their health care would get worse, and only 17 percent believing it would improve."

Some provisions of health care reform have already been enacted while others are not set to take effect until 2014.

Pharmacists blame PBMs for escalating costs

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Congress needs to clamp down on the pharmacy benefit management industry, says the Association of Community Pharmacists Congressional Network.

According to the ACPCN, increased prescription costs are a result of PBMs' corrupt behavior. The ACPCN says that they have been working with pharmacies to discover underpayments from insurers and inappropriate use of patient information.

The ACPCN wants Congress to introduce the "pharmacy bill," to help get costs under control. More than $250 billion could be saved over 10 years with the bill in place, according to the ACPCN. The bill would promote the use of local pharmacies and generic drugs.

"Members of Congress need to address the secret PBM practices that pharmacies in their districts have uncovered - PBM corporations are underpaying local pharmacies, misusing confidential patient information, and hiding money owed to taxpayers," stated ACPCN vice president for government affairs Mike James. "The time for comprehensive congressional action is overdue."

The current administration has made it clear that they are committed to reducing consumer costs for health care-related expenses. The government hopes to do this through several provisions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Health insurance mergers to be watched

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Monopolies in the health insurance industry won't be tolerated by the Obama administration.

In an attempt to keep competition for health insurance strong, a clear message has been sent out by the government that mergers will be under tight watch.

Currently in several states, just a couple of providers insure most people, according to the Associated Press. The large insurance providers say that they are more efficient and can pass savings along to consumers.

On the opposing side, when there is little competition, there isn't much incentive for companies to lower fees or provide quality service.

"If we determine that our initial concerns were well-founded, we will not hesitate to block the merger or to require the settlement concessions necessary to protect consumers," said Justice Department antitrust chief Christine Varney.

Varney stated that without a competitive health insurance climate, Obama's health care law cannot be effective.

In addition to prohibiting monopolies from forming, the government has created several rules to help lower health care costs. According to the government, insurance companies will be required to return money to consumers if they spend less than 75 percent on your care.

Benefits to continue for unemployed

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Expanded benefits for the long-term unemployed will be available until the end of the year, thanks to an agreement reached by lawmakers.

Subsidies will also continue to be offered to laid-off workers who purchase health insurance through COBRA, according to the Associated Press. The number of people taking advantage of COBRA benefits doubled when the subsidy was enacted, a study by Hewitt Associates found. According to Hewitt, 14 million workers were eligible for COBRA benefits last year.

Almost 50 tax cuts that expired in January will also be in effect for another year under the agreement.

Health care providers will also benefit from the bill. The Associated Press reports that lawmakers have come to terms on a provision that will prevent cuts in Medicare payments to doctors until 2014.

Without this agreement in place, companies could not determine their tax payments.

"Provisions in this legislation will help companies and state and local governments spur job growth while also providing critical tax relief and economic assistance to American families who were hit hard by the recession," said chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee Representative Sander Levin.

In April, there were 15.3 million people unemployed, according to government data.

Employers to be fined for not offering affordable health plans

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 24 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

A third of employers may be subject to fines for not offering affordable health insurance plans to full-time employees, according to a study of almost 3,000 employers conducted by Mercer.

Under the Affordable Health Care Act, employers must offer full-time employees insurance that is less than 9.5 percent of their household income or pay a penalty. Starting in 2014, an employer will be punished with a fine of $3,000 for each employee that has to turn to the health insurance exchange for coverage.

"Only 8 percent say they would seriously consider making no or minimal changes to increase the number of eligible employees and instead pay the required penalty," said the Mercer report. "Some (16 percent) say they will strongly consider adding a lower-cost plan for these newly eligible employees rather than adding them to an existing plan for full-time employees."

Less than 10 percent of survey respondents said that they would rather pay a fine than make changes to the number of eligible staff members.

Most elements of the Health Care Act won't be in effect until 2014, but the bill has already made some changes. Currently, small companies can receive tax credits for offering health insurance to their employees.

Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit Calculator

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:00:00 -0500

We have recently updated the small business health insurance tax credit calculator.

This is a easy to use site that will help you determine what, if any, tax credit you can get as a small business as part of the new health insurance reform law.

Health Insurance Tax Credit Calculator

Click on tax credit calculator

New act designed to prevent healthcare fraud

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Scamming the health care system just became more difficult with the new Affordable Care Act in place.

The combined monitoring forces of the Justice Department, Health and Human Services Department and police are designed to save taxpayer dollars by making it harder for providers to submit false claims.

Providers may be subject to background checks and site visits prior to charging Medicare or Medicaid. The new act gives law enforcement the power to punish criminals with longer prison sentences and an additional $300 million in resourses to bolster enforcement.

"We know that as long as health care fraud pays and goes unpunished, our health care system will remain under siege. These crimes harm all of us - government agencies and programs, insurers and health care providers, and individual patients," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "We are fighting back, and will use the expanded capabilities that the Affordable Care Act provides to stop health care fraud in its tracks."

The Affordable Health Care Act will be focusing primarily in areas with high fraud, such as Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit and Baton Rouge, according to the Justice Department and HHS.

Last year, anti-fraud initiatives resulted in over $2.5 billion being returned to the Medicare Trust Fund, a 29 percent increase from 2008.

National foundation applauds healthcare reform

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Young adults now have another option for health insurance - staying on their parents' plan.

Historically, young adults are 50 percent more likely to lack health insurance as any other age group according to the National Patient Advocate Foundation. Under the Affordable Care Act, children will be able to remain on their parents' policy until age 26.

Before the Affordable Care Act, the NPAF notes that many young adults found themselves uninsured when their parents' policies dropped them due to age.

The NPAF is lauding the Obama administration for their proposed health care provision.

"By issuing these proposed regulations, the administration has taken an important step in protecting all patients, particularly young adults who often go without health insurance and hope that they stay healthy," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder and CEO of NPAF. "NPAF will continue to work diligently with the administration and Congress to ensure that patients across the nation are protected from health care discrimination and are afforded the added security of health care coverage."

An estimated 1.2 million Americans will be affected by the proposed plan.

Health secretary honors National Women's Health Week

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

The American healthcare system has historically allowed insurance to charge higher health insurance quotes for women - particularly those who have experienced domestic violence or certain medical procedures.

These practices will no longer be legal under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was passed by the federal government this March. In honor of National Women's Health Week, Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius called attention to these changes.

The annual observance occurs May 9-16 and serves as a reminder for women to make their health a priority. Recent recessionary conditions may have made it harder for these individuals to obtain and keep the health insurance necessary to meet their medical needs.

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Women’s Health Week 2010 can be a true celebration of a healthier future for the women of America, and a new opportunity for all Americans to live longer, happier, and healthier lives," Sebelius said.

The recent healthcare reform will also prohibit insurers from charging higher premiums or denying people on the basis of their pre-existing medical conditions.

Action plan against childhood obesity is unveiled by White House task force

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 11 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Starting early may be one of the most important factors in reducing the childhood obesity rate.

Providing nutritious foods, ample opportunity for physical activity and limitations on television time are some of the practices that may be implemented at a young age. These are some of the steps featured in the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity's report to the president, which aims at solving this health problem by 2030.

Other recommendations include increased access to healthy foods both in and outside of schools. This means lowering the prices on such items and reformulating available food products to make them healthier, according to the report. Greater access to playgrounds and recreational facilities as well as physical education courses can also decrease the obesity rate.

"We want to marshal every resource - public and private sector, mayors and governors, parents and educators, business owners and health care providers, coaches and athletes - to ensure that we are providing each and every child the happy, healthy future they deserve," First Lady Obama said.

Obesity can lead to medical complications - like heart disease and diabetes - that may make health insurance quotes more expensive over time.

Illinois governor aims to protect health insurance rights

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

The governor of Illinois recently announced efforts to help residents receive and maintain affordable health insurance quotes.

The state is allocating $200 million in federal funds to establish a high-risk pool to help those with pre-existing medical conditions who have been uninsured for six months or longer obtain health insurance, according to an announcement. These funds are available through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by the government in March.

A Health Insurance Consumer's Bill of Rights would also protect women, children with pre-existing individuals and those who lose their plans through a rescission. A regulatory panel would ensure that rescissions are made lawfully - for fraud or misrepresentation - rather than an insurer's unwillingness to cover unhealthy customers.

"We must act now to increase health insurance protections for Illinois families and ensure that the state receives nearly $200 million in federal funds to help cover those who are uninsured and have pre-existing conditions," Governor Pat Quinn said.

Many of the protections extended through the Bill of Rights are also included in the federal healthcare reform but are not slated to take effect until later this year.

Growing number of states decline high-risk pool program

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

While many states choose to participate in a new high-risk pool program aimed at helping uninsured individuals obtain healthcare, a growing number is also opting out, according to a recent report by the Washington Post.

There are currently 18 states declining involvement in the program, which was introduced as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius began gauging interest in the program earlier this spring. The high-risk pools will be available in some states as early as July 1.

Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia said they would participate in the program. Those that opted out include Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming, according to the report.

Georgia was the first to opt out of this program, with Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine citing concern about the costs it would create for taxpayers. Others have since echoed these worries, according to the report.

Many of the individuals that may benefit from a high-risk pool are currently unable to obtain affordable health insurance quotes because of their pre-existing medical conditions.

College students should research on-campus healthcare plan

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

While recent healthcare reform addressed the challenges many recent graduates face after college, it neglected to regulate the health insurance quotes they pay while obtaining their education.

The college health insurance plans many young students are forced to sign up for have left many confused about what they owe for services - until they're slapped with late fees, according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal. School plans are not required at all universities, but can provide significant discounts on medical costs.

"Parents and students are paying exorbitantly and they are still not getting good services," Bryan Liang, executive director at the Institute of Health Law Studies at the California Western School of Law, told the Journal.

The report referred to research by Keybridge Research LLC showing that students and their families are overcharged by $2.3 billion to $2.9 billion each year by college healthcare centers. They may be able to minimize these expenses by determining how they will use these healthcare services versus local hospitals ahead of time, according to the report. They should also look into whether student health fees cover costs for vaccinations and workshops.

Individuals graduating from college will soon be able to remain on their parents' plans until age 26.

Health secretary calls on Americans to increase physical activity

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:00:00 -0500

In honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urged Americans to increase their physical activity.

When paired with a healthy diet, this may help individuals avoid several of the medical conditions linked to obesity and resulting in increased health insurance quotes. Sebelius pointed to First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign as one example of the administration's efforts to increase physical activity, and discussed some of the long-term benefits associated with maintaining a healthy weight.

These include a lower stress level, a stronger heart and bones and improved concentrations and may result from various levels of exercise. Sebelius called Americans to join the president's challenge to make physical activity part of their daily routine.

"May is the perfect time to get active and healthy," Sebelius said. "As the weather gets warmer and flowers start to bloom, regular exercise can be both important and enjoyable."

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults age 18 and older perform 30 minutes of physical activity at least five times a week to be healthy. Younger individuals need at least an hour a day.

Health secretary responds to report that insurance company dropped patients with cancer

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Starting this fall, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will prohibit health insurers from rescinding legally-obtained policies.

This, however, has not prevented one of the nation's largest health insurance companies from dropping coverage for those recently diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a report by Reuters. The company allegedly used a computer algorithm to locate customers with this condition then cut off their coverage, in an effort to reduce costs.

The insurer responded to Reuters with a statement saying the software did not target those with breast cancer and that its rescission policies were adjusted appropriately after causing concern in 2006. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote a letter to the health insurer calling its practices "deplorable" and urging them to immediately cease dropping coverage "from patients that need it most."

"This year alone, an estimated 192,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer," Sebelius wrote. "I hope you will consider these women and their families as you work to end this harmful practice."

Recent reform will also prevent insurers from rejecting or charging high health insurance quotes to consumers with pre-existing medical conditions.

Senate committee proposes legislation to limit premium hikes

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Recent healthcare reform has been greeted with fears over whether universal coverage would cause health insurance quotes to skyrocket.

New regulations proposed by Senate Democrats may calm some of this concern, according to a recent report by the New York Times. The legislation gives the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary the power to review and prevent and premium rate increases that were determined to be unreasonable. The bill would also give the federal government the ability to fill in for regulation gaps in certain states.

A similar provision was originally included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, then left out of the final legislation. Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, spoke out in support of this control.

"Protections must be in place to ensure that insurance companies do not take advantage of current market conditions before health reform fundamentally changes the way they do business in 2014," Harkin said in a statement.

Rate hikes proposed by Massachusetts health insurers were recently rejected by the state's Insurance Commissioner, Joseph Murphy, according to the Boston Globe. The insurance companies are currently required to resubmit rates.

Healthcare reform should be left to elected officials, North Carolina AG says

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Recent reform will soon mandate that all Americans purchase health insurance coverage.

Those that don't will be forced to face fees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Attorneys general in several states have called these penalties unconstitutional and filed a lawsuit against the federal government.

The lawsuit was initiated by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum immediately following the March 23 passage of the reform.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has held out, according to a report by the Associated Press, saying that such decisions should be left to legislators rather than judges. The state's GOP chairman Tom Fetzer has responded with consternation. He said the universal healthcare mandate violated the federal government's power, according to the report.

"North Carolina needs an attorney general who understands the Constitution and has the courage to fight for her citizens," Fetzer was quoted as saying.

The reform bill will also penalize employers that do not offer health insurance coverage to their workers. A recent survey by Crain Communications showed that the majority of companies would choose to provide insurance plans rather than pay a $2,000 penalty per worker.

Massachusetts judge support rate hike rejections

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Affordable health insurance quotes may remain within reach for Massachusetts residents due to a ruling by Suffolk Superior Court.

Six of the state's largest health insurers appealed Insurance Commissioner Joseph G. Murphy's rejection of 235 rate hikes. These double-digit premium increases would affect about 50,000 insurance policies that were up for renewal, according to a recent article by the Boston Globe. Judge Stephen E. Neel ruled in favor of the rejections.

Insurers said the insurance division's actions exceed its authority and that such rate would be necessary to keep to prevent further losses within the industry and cover customers' medical costs. State officials have disagreed.

"Unless insurers can give us a good reason why, when everything else is flat, they deserve 20 percent, 30 percent, and in some cases 40 percent increases, they’re going to be denied," Governor Deval Patrick was quoted as saying.

The process has prevented small businesses and individuals from purchasing or renewing their plans through the state's online Health Connector, according to the report. Last week, the insurance division ordered insurers to recalculate their rates based on April 2009 levels. Many are complying.

Insurance commissioner rejects high-risk pool program

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced she would reach out to state officials in order to gauge their interest in the high-risk pools program.

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the program will receive $5 billion in federal funding in order to ensure that those with serious medical conditions who have been uninsured for six months are able to receive the medical attention they need. The pools will be available starting July 1.

States have through April 30 to respond to Sebelius' inquiry. Republican Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has already opted out of the program, citing budgetary concerns, according to a recent report by the Associated Press.

"I'm not going to subject Georgia taxpayers and the Georgia treasury to something that's going to be a burden on them," he told the wire service.

Many of the people who would benefit from the program have medical conditions currently preventing them from obtaining affordable health insurance quotes. Starting in 2014, healthcare reform will prevent insurers from charging higher premiums to those with pre-existing conditions.

Critics of the high-risk pools program also suspect that it may run out of funding before 2014.

2010 New Health Insurance Laws Questions and Answers

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:04:11 -0500

Do you have questions about the new health insurance law?

When does all this start?
When will I be covered for pre-existing conditions?
Can I get coverage for my child with a pre-existing condition?
Can my small business get a tax credit for buying health insurance?
Do I have to buy health insurance or face a penalty?

We have all these answers and then some just visit: New Health insurance Laws

Looking for affordable health insurance with a tax credit?
Please visit: Affordable Health Insurance

2010 Health Insurance Tax Credit Calculator

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:56:57 -0500

Are you a small business that is interested in learning what, if any tax credit you can receive from the new health insurance law?

We have the answers for you in a simple 3 step health insurance tax credit calculator.

Simply click here: Health Insurance Tax Credit Calculator

Just enter in the first three fields: Annual Employer premium contribution, number of employees, and the average wage per employee and it will automatically calculate it for you.

If you have any questions or are looking for affordable health insurance that you can receive these tax credits for please visit: Free Health insurance Quote

HHS secretary gauges state interest in high-risk pool program

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:00:00 -0500

People with pre-existing conditions may find it hard to obtain affordable health insurance quotes.

Starting in 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will prohibit insurers from charging these individuals higher premiums. Until then, they will be able to turn to high-risk pools established by the Department of Health and Human Services.

States may volunteer to participate in the program, which will be funded by $5 billion in federal money. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is currently in the process of contacting state officials to gauge their interest, according to a recent report by Insurance News Net. The pools will be available starting July 1.

"The establishment of a temporary new high-risk pool program is one of our first tasks in implementing the new health reform law and will help provide affordable insurance for Americans who have been locked out of the insurance market for too long," Sebelius said in a statement.

Premiums paid by those in the program will reflect standard rates charged to non-group members, according to the report, while out-of-pocket charges can not exceed the amount offered in high-deductible plans.

These are not the first high-risk pools offered to Americans. As of last June, 35 states were already running such programs.

New Health Insurance Law questions and answers

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:42:45 -0500

Here's how you might be affected by the new laws:

I don't have health insurance. Will I have to get it, and what happens if I don't?

Under the legislation, most Americans will have to have insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. The penalty would start at $95, or up to 1% of income, whichever is greater, and rise to $695, or 2.5% of income, by 2016. This is an individual limit; families have a limit of $2,085. Some people can be exempted from the insurance requirement, called an individual mandate, because of financial hardship or religious beliefs or if they are American Indians, for example.

I want health insurance, but I can't afford it. What do I do?

Depending on your income, you might be eligible for Medicaid, the state-federal program for the poor and disabled, which will be expanded sharply beginning in 2014. Low-income adults, including those without children, will be eligible as long as their incomes didn't exceed 133% of the federal poverty level, or $14,404 for individuals and $29,326 for a family of four, according to current poverty guidelines.

What if I make too much for Medicaid but still can't afford coverage?

You can shop for rates at: Affordable Health Insurance

You might be eligible for government subsidies to help you pay for private insurance that would be sold in the new state-based insurance marketplaces, called exchanges, slated to begin operation in 2014.

Premium subsidies will be available for individuals and families with incomes between 133% and 400% of the poverty level, or $14,404 to $43,320 for individuals and $29,326 to $88,200 for a family of four.

The subsidies will be on a sliding scale. For example, a family of four earning 150% of the poverty level, or $33,075 a year, will have to pay 4% of its income, or $1,323 annually, on premiums. A family with income of 400% of the poverty level will have to pay 9.5%, or $8,379.

In addition, if your income is below 400% of the poverty level, your out-of-pocket health expenses will be limited.

If you have a medical condition, the law will make it easier for you to get coverage; insurers will be barred from rejecting applicants based on health status once the exchanges are operating in 2014.

In the meantime, the law will create a temporary high-risk insurance pool for people with medical problems who have been rejected by insurers and have been uninsured at least six months. This will occur this year.

To find out iif you are eligible for any of these you can visit: Can I get health insurance?

How will the legislation affect the kind of insurance I can buy? Will it make it easier for me to get coverage, even if I have health problems?

And starting later this year, insurers can no longer exclude coverage for specific medical problems for children with pre-existing conditions, nor can they any longer set lifetime coverage limits for adults and kids. The Obama administration insists that the law also would bar insurers this year from turning away children with pre-existing conditions. But some insurers and children's advocates say the law isn't clear on that point, and the administration has said it will draft clarifying regulations.

In 2014, annual limits on coverage will be banned.

New policies sold on the exchanges will be required to cover a range of benefits, including hospitalizations, doctor visits, prescription drugs, maternity care and certain preventive tests.

How will the legislation affect young adults?

If you're an unmarried adult younger than 26, you can stay on your parents' insurance coverage as long as you are not offered health coverage at work. This benefit will begin later this year but will require regulations clearly spelling out eligibility criteria. You must be on your parents plan before age 19 to qualify though.

In addition, people in their 20s will be given the option of buying a "catastrophic" plan that will have lower premiums. The coverage will largely kick in only after the individual has $6,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

I own a small business. Will I have to buy insurance for my workers? What help can I get?

It depends on the size of your firm. Companies with fewer than 50 workers won't face any penalties if they don't offer insurance.

Companies can get tax credits to help buy insurance if they have 25 or fewer employees and a workforce with an average wage of up to $50,000. Tax credits of up to 35% of the cost of premiums will be available this year and will reach 50% in 2014. The full credits are for the smallest firms with low-wage workers; the subsidies shrink as companies' workforces and average wages rise.

Firms with more than 50 employees that do not offer coverage will have to pay a fee of up to $2,000 per full-time employee if any of their workers get government-subsidized insurance coverage in the exchanges. The first 30 workers will be excluded from the assessment.

I'm over 65. How will the legislation affect seniors?

The Medicare prescription-drug benefit will be improved substantially. This year, seniors who enter the Part D coverage gap, known as the "doughnut hole," will get $250 to help pay for their medications.

Beyond that, drug company discounts on brand-name drugs and federal subsidies and discounts for all drugs will gradually reduce the gap, eliminating it by 2020. That means that seniors, who now pay 100% of their drug costs once they hit the doughnut hole, will pay 25%.

And, as under current law, once seniors spend a certain amount on medications, they will get "catastrophic" coverage and pay only 5% of the cost of their medications.

Meanwhile, government payments to Medicare Advantage, the private-plan part of Medicare, will be frozen starting in 2011 and cut in the following years. If you're one of the 10 million enrollees, you could lose extra benefits that many of the plans offer, such as free eyeglasses, hearing aids and gym memberships. To cushion the blow to beneficiaries, the cuts to health plans in high-cost areas of the country such as New York City and South Florida — where seniors have enjoyed the richest benefits — will be phased in over as many as seven years.

Beginning this year, the law will make all Medicare preventive services, such as screenings for colon, prostate and breast cancer, free to beneficiaries.

How much is all this going to cost? Will it increase my taxes?

The package is estimated to cost $938 billion over a decade. But because of higher taxes and fees and billions of dollars in Medicare payment cuts to providers, the package will narrow the federal budget deficit by $143 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

If you have a high income, you face higher taxes. Starting in 2013, individuals will pay a higher Medicare payroll tax of 2.35% on earnings of more than $200,000 a year and couples earning more than $250,000, up from the current 1.45%. In addition, you'll face an additional 3.8% tax on unearned income, such as dividends and interest, over the threshold.

Starting in 2018, the law will also impose a 40% excise tax on the portion of most employer-sponsored health coverage (excluding dental and vision) that exceeds $10,200 a year for individuals and $27,500 for families.

The law also will raise the threshold for deducting unreimbursed medical expenses from 7.5% of adjusted gross income to 10%.

The law also will limit the amount of money you can put in a flexible spending account to pay medical expenses to $2,500 starting in 2013. Those using an indoor tanning salon will pay a 10% tax starting this year.

What will happen to my premiums?

That's hard to predict and is the subject of much debate. People who are sick might face lower premiums than otherwise because insurers won't be permitted to charge sick people more; healthier people might pay more. Older people could still be charged more than younger people, but the gap couldn't be as large.

The bigger question is what happens to rising medical costs, which drive up premiums. Even proponents acknowledge that efforts in the legislation to control health costs, such as a new board to oversee Medicare spending, won't have much of an effect for several years.

In November, a Congressional Budget Office report on how the legislation — which at that point had a tougher tax on so-called Cadillac insurance plans — would affect premiums said that big employers would see premiums stay flat or drop 3% compared with today's rates. It also noted that employees with small-group coverage might see their premiums stay the same. And Americans who received subsidies would see their premiums decline by up to 11%, according to the CBO.

Report: Health insurance mandate was GOP idea

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500

One of Republicans’ primary gripes with the healthcare reform is its mandate for universal coverage. This provision may have been there idea, according to a recent report by the Associated Press.

Similar legislation was passed on the state level by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in 2006. That year’s Massachusetts Health Reform Law required middle-income consumers to purchase health insurance or pay a substantial fine.

Romney has since been critical of the Obama administration’s healthcare overhaul, saying that it represents a federal takeover. Republican attorneys general from other states have threatened to file suit against the reform on the basis of its constitutionality.

Mark Pauly, a health economist from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, wrote a paper in 1991 suggesting that mandates be combine with tax credits, an idea that was well-received by the George H.W. Bush administration, according to the report.

"It could have been the basis for a bipartisan compromise, but it wasn't," he was quoted as saying. "Because the Democrats were in favor, the Republicans more or less had to be against it."

The healthcare reform bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last weekend with no votes from Republicans. It was later signed by President Barack Obama, then passed to the Senate for approval. Congress passed a reconciliation bill days later.

Column: Healthcare is a right

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Critics of healthcare reform have taken issue with the bill's penalties for those who choose not to purchase insurance. They have said that the government does not have the right to tax individuals for being alive and that such fees are unconstitutional.

A recent column by Christian Science Monitor guest blogger Howard Gleckman defended the bill's mandate for universal coverage. He described a common situation when health insurance would be required - following a car accident - and pointed to the fact that EMT will never demand proof of insurance before providing care.

"Conservatives like to argue that healthcare is not a right," Gleckman wrote. "But, in fact, it is. For years, federal law has required most hospitals to accept patients into their emergency rooms whether or not the sick and injured have the means to pay."

This leads to higher health insurance quotes for those who do purchase insurance. States, like Virginia, that have passed laws barring the universal mandate could consequently contribute to higher premiums for the rest of Americans, according to the report, or even cause some private insurers to go out of business.

A senior official from the Obama administration recently said that lawsuits against healthcare reform were "without merit," according to Washington-based blog The Hill.

Same-sex couples still taxed for health insurance

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500

Healthcare reform will not lead to lower health insurance quotes for same-sex couples, according to a recent blog post by NYTimes.com.

Current healthcare legislation does not count employer-sponsored insurance as taxable income when it is used to cover the spouse in an opposite-sex couple. Because members of same-sex couples are not considered dependents under the bill, health insurance coverage offered to the domestic partner of a gay employee is taxed.

An earlier version of the House of Representatives' healthcare reform bill eliminated this tax. This language was removed from the bill most recently signed by President Barack Obama.

Healthcare is among the highest extra costs incurred by same-sex couples, according to the blog, because many employers do not offer coverage for domestic partners.

"If you don't have the option through your own employer, or through your partner's to get insurance in some manner, there will now be this additional mechanism, the health insurance exchanges, to get individual coverage," Brian Moulton, chief legislative counsel at the Human Rights Campaign, told the blog.

Federal reform is slated to make health insurance more affordable by offering tax credits to families and preventing insurers from charging higher premiums for people with poor health.

Healthcare Reform Legislative Update 2010

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:48:00 -0500

IMMEDIATE FIXES:

2010:

- SMALL BUSINESSES: Tax credits start flowing to businesses with fewer than 50 employees, covering 35% of premiums, to help them afford coverage. By 2014, that will rise to 50%.
UPDATED 3/26/10: The only businesses that get the full 35% have to employ 10 or less and pay them an average wage of $25,000 or less (the wage limitations are not indexed for inflation in the first three years). The credit is reduced for each employee over 10 up to 25 (where you get 0 credit) and $50,000 in average wages (where you get 0 credit). But since the two work together the credit is reduced twice, making it worth even less. The credit expires after the sixth year (or 2010-2013, then you get an additional 2 years if you go into the exchange in 2014), so once the individual mandates and other requirements kick in the credit is gone.

UPDATED 4/6/10: SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDIT CALCULATOR

Having a hard time trying to figure out what, if any, tax credit you can get for your small business? No problem just click here: HEALTH INSURANCE TAX CREDIT CALCULATOR

- SENIORS: They get a $250 rebate to help fill the "doughnut hole" in Medicare drug coverage.

- YOUNG ADULTS: Children permitted to stay on their parents' insurance policies until their 27th birthday. NOTE: children must be on their parents plan by age 19 (they cannot be added later) and they must be a dependent (not married).

- PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: Insurance companies barred from denying benefits to children with pre-existing illness that they make an offer of coverage to.** See Update below**
NOTE:the current law reads that children can still be denied a new policy and therefore would have to go in the state risk pool. Adults are not covered for all pre-existing conditions until 2014.
UPDATED 3/30/10- Although the law is written that insures can still DECLINE to offer coverage on a child if they are sick the health insurance industry has agreed not to decline any child effective in Sept 2010.

- NO LIMITS ON COVERAGE: Insurers can't place lifetime caps on benefits any longer.

- PREVENTIVE CARE: New private plans will have to cover checkups and other preventive services with no co-pays. By 2018, all plans must comply.

- NO MORE RESCISSIONS. Effective immediately, you can't lose your insurance because you get sick. However, you can still be canceled for a material misrepresentation on your application.

2011:
- HEALTH CARE COMPANIES KICK IN: Drugmakers pony up new fees, starting at $2.7 billion. Insurance and medical-device providers follow in 2013.

2013:
- TAXES: Medicare payroll taxes increase - from a rate of 1.45% to 2.35% - for singles earning more than $200,000 a year and families above $250,000.

2014:
This is when all Americans will feel the bill's impact - in their wallets, if not elsewhere.

- INDIVIDUAL MANDATE: Almost everyone will be required to get insurance or face a fine - $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015 and $695 in 2016 (with a maximum of $2,250 for a family). There is an exemption for low-income people.

- EMPLOYER MANDATE: Businesses with 50 or more employees must offer insurance or pay a $2,000-per-worker penalty.

- HEALTH CARE EXCHANGES: These new state-based marketplaces should be open for business, giving individuals and small businesses a place to shop for affordable insurance .

- SUBSIDIES: To help pay for insurance, the feds will offer subsidies to families making as much as $88,000 a year. Out-of-pocket spending will be tied to a person's income and kept as low as $1,000.

2018:
- TAX ON HIGH-COST HEALTH PLANS: A 40% excise tax will be slapped on high-cost "Cadillac" plans starting in 2018.

2020:
- Benefits that began to close Medicare's "doughnut hole" for prescription drugs in 2010 will finally complete the job in 2020.

Health Insurance Reform and getting covered now

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:07:00 -0500
Top Five Reasons to Get Covered Now:

1) Emergency Rooms aren’t a good fallback plan. According to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), if you’re uninsured, ambulances and hospital emergency rooms must provide emergency medical treatment regardless of your ability to pay. However, uninsured persons may still be left with substantial medical bills and could find it difficult to obtain subsequent treatment such as surgery and physical therapy. Because EMTALA addresses patients with emergency medical conditions, it likely does not apply to non-emergency, but possibly threatening, chronic conditions like cancer or heart disease that require attention and costly medical treatments (unless the patient’s condition deteriorates to the point of needing emergency medical treatment).

2) Health care is more expensive when you’re uninsured. It’s the double-whammy of going without coverage. Uninsured persons are usually charged full price for medical services, because they don’t qualify for the discounts negotiated between medical providers and the insurance companies on behalf of members. That’s why, for example, an office visit that may cost an insured person $55 (split between the member and the insurance company) may cost an uninsured person twice as much. And health insurance may be more affordable than you think. A 2009 survey of 316,000 customers showed that half of all individual health insurance policy holders who purchased a plan paid less than $132 in monthly premiums and half of all family health insurance policy holders paid less than $429 per month.

3) Medical bills are a leading cause of personal bankruptcy. According to a study released in 2009, over 60% of personal bankruptcies in the United States are related to overwhelming medical bills.Having coverage is no guarantee against bankruptcy, but a good health insurance plan can help limit your exposure to the crippling medical costs that can arise form an unexpected injury or illness.

4) Adults until 2014: You run the risk of making yourself uninsurable or only being able to get coverage through the state risk pool. You may be healthy now, but if you are uninsured and diagnosed with a serious medical condition, you could find that you don’t qualify for coverage when you need it. The best way to preserve your ability to qualify for coverage is to maintain coverage now.

5) Youth offers no protection. Persons between ages 19 and 29 are more likely to be uninsured than most other groups. Young adults are also more likely to visit the Emergency Room than many other groups. No one should start out their adult life under a mountain of medical bills. Even a basic individual health insurance plan will limit exposure to unexpected medical costs. Individual health insurance plans for adults ages 18-24 can be as low as $100/month, or less.

Idaho bill bars federal healthcare reform

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500
A growing number of states has taken action against federal healthcare reform that would issue fines to citizens without health insurance coverage.

Idaho became the second state to pass legislation to this effect, according to a recent release from the American Legislative Exchange Council. The Idaho Health Reform Act defended the right of its citizens to choose their approach to healthcare service, saying it was unconstitutional for the federal government to impose penalties on those who forgo insurance.

"The state of Idaho joins with other citizens of our great nation to say 'enough,' and has backed its position with a firm policy and commitment to stand up for the liberty of its citizens by passage of the Idaho Health Freedom Act," said Idaho representative Lynn Luker, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Virginia was the first state to bar federal health insurance mandates. ALEC, which supports consumer-driven healthcare, has identified 36 other states that plan to introduce this kind of legislation.

Critics of the healthcare reform bill have said that such mandates would increase health insurance quotes as the demand and cost of medical care also grows. Such policies may even force private insurers out of business, according to an article by the Christian Science Monitor.

Massachusetts treasurer warns against universal healthcare mandate

nospam@example.com (Brafton) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0500
Mandated health insurance in Massachusetts has brought the state's coverage rate close to 97 percent.

Massachusetts Treasurer Timothy Cahill recently pointed to some of the services that have been damaged by this policy, as a tightening state budget requires substantial cost-cutting measures. A national policy imitating this model would quickly bankrupt America's economy, according to the announcement.

"It is time for the president and the Democratic leadership to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan that does not threaten to wipe out the American economy," Cahill said.

He also defended the right for every American to have coverage, but said fixing the healthcare system would require more review of how such services are provided and paid for. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakly told BusinessWeek that higher prices for services have led to increased healthcare spending within the state.

The Bay State became first to mandate universal health insurance in 2006. That year, lawmakers passed a law that requiring Massachusetts' 6.5 million residents to purchase coverage or face financial penalties. Health insurance quotes were also reduced, in an effort to put policies within reach of low-income residents.

Canadian Government offical comes to US for heart surgery.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:37:01 -0600
This is interesting to see.........

A Canadian Government official is having heart surgery this week in the US because the treatment he needs is NOT available in Canada. Why?
It's called Universal Health Care.

To read more click here:Universal Nightmare !!

Move to Massachusetts and lose your health insurance?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:30:16 -0500
Wendy Button who was once a speechwriter for John Edwards and Hilary Clinton recently got a taste of what she used to write about and believe in.

Ms. Button moved from DC to Massachusetts and her health insurance premium went from $225.00 a month to a whopping $550.00 a month. Why? Because they State of MA has the same health insurance system some want the rest of the country to buy into.

Think health insurance is expensive now.....wait until it's "free".

To read more about Wendy Button's story click here: MA health insurance affordable?

Senators demand public health insurance option.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:39:00 -0500
Many Democratic US Senators are demanding a public option.

This may be the part that makes or breaks health insurance reform in the US.

Click here to read more: Demanding a public option

Fix what's wrong in health insurance and leave what's right.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:25:00 -0500
The Texas Medical Association is asking lawmakers to consider fixing what's right in US health insurance and leave what's working alone.

Affordable health insurance can be obtained without overhauling the entire way health insurance is delivered to 270 million American's now.

To read more on the TMA click here:Texas Medical Association speaks out.

Taxing health insurance?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:03:00 -0500
Does anyone know how taxing health insurance companies is going to lower premiums?

It's not...it will be passed of to the consumer making affordable health insurance even harder.

To read more click here: Tax my health plan?

Will you lose your health insurance freedom?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:07:00 -0500
Everyone is wondering what if anything will I lose if I currently have health insurance.

Affordable health insurance is hard to come by without losing freedom.

To read more click here: Health insurance freedom

To receive a free no obligation quote for affordable health insurance click here:Affordable health insurance quote

Is Vermont's way the US way to affordable health insurance?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:52:00 -0500
The State of Vermont has had health insurance regulation for quite some time now.

Statistics show this has worked to some degree but as Vermont is a very small state this may not be our answer on a National level.

To read more click here:Affordable health insurance in Vermont?

2013 until we see any health insurance reform.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:46:00 -0500
Most and wondering when we will see any relief when it comes to affordable health insurance.

A few things to consider:

Currently there are no laws that have been passed only pending bills in the House and Senate.

All of these bills do NOT take effect if ever until 2013......almost 4 years form now.

To read more click here: 2013..........

We still do not have any health insurance answers from US government.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:46:00 -0500
Although we have been beat down with speech after speech we still continue to ask.....how exactly is health insurance going to work in this country?

Both liberal and conservative media agree taht we still don't have a lot of the answers we need to make an informed decision.

To read more click here: The medias take on health care reform

Uninsured? Is it 47 million or 30 million?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:32:00 -0500
We have been told repeatedly that the 47 million number of uninsured does NOT include illegal aliens or people incarcerated currently.

Why has the number now changed to only 30 million?

How many people are voluntarily uninsured? meaning they can buy afford to buy coverage but don't.

To read more of the Presidents take click here: 30 million or 47 million?

Are the government infomercials working or not?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:42:00 -0500
Every week we see town hall meetings, speeches, special addresses to Congress, etc.

Are these sales techniques working or is the American public not buying it?

To learn more click here: US not buying in !

Health care spending by US already causing issues.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:04:00 -0500
Even without passing any new legislation for health insurance reform the growing deficit is being blamed on the US spending too much already on government health insurance entitlements.

To learn more click here: US spending too much already

Christian groups not liking health care reform.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:01:00 -0500
Recently many of the largest US Christian groups started to speak out against health insurance reform.

To read more on their take click here: Christian's say NO to health insurance reform

Japan's take on health care.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:30:00 -0500
What do the Japanese do for health insurance?

Well they have some pretty good ideas and it's not run by their government either.

Will their system which was invented after ours work better for us?

We did invent the automobile and they seem to have a much better system than ours. I don't recall Toyota or Honda filing for bankruptcy.

To read more about health insurance i japan click here: Japan's health care system

Will abortions be covered under US public health insurance plan?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:13:00 -0500
We have recently heard that abortion will not be covered under the public health insurance option, then we here it will be covered.

Who's right?

Click here on one take: Abortion covered under public option?

An interesting take on what some things really translate to.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:09:00 -0500
Here is are some interesting taking points on what is said and what is heard in today's media world.

Click here for the read: Talking points

Oops! Federal deficit off...higher than expected what's next?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:05:00 -0500
We all hear about the cost projections on the new health insurance reform bill. Many have said these cost estimates are low and some expect them to be far off from projections.

Well we now know that the Federal deficit projections we were given just a few short months ago are way over what we were told as well. What will health insurance reform really cost?

To read more about the higher than expected US deficit click here: US deficit costs

NFIB Opposes House Bill on Health Insurance Reform

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:52:32 -0500
Over the past year the National Association of Independent Business (NFIB) has been working with both sides of the fence to try and come up with a health insurance solution for small business.

NFIB has now said NO to House health care legislation noting it's a bad idea for small business.

To read more click here: NFIB says no to House bills.

Is America listening to health care reform.....you bet!

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:57:15 -0500
Many people believe that by sticking to the same message will almost no doubt make any story more believable. However using vague terms and then when asked to clarify some of the true meaning of the message it starts to spill over.

America is mad because they ARE listening. To read more click here: We are mad because we are listening.

Public health insurance option now going away?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:57:09 -0500
For nearly 8 months now all we have heard was the absolute need for a public option.

And I quote "The plan will NOT work with a public option"

Why the about face?
Too much heat from the town halls?
Too big of a problem for the government to fix themselves?
A Political disaster for Obama?
The cost was way underestimated?
Maybe it's juts not as easy as they once thought.

More than likely all of the above.

To read more about the public health insurance option that may be taking a back seat now click here:Public option no more?

Private health insurance options however are still available. To receive a free, no obligation affordable health health insurance quote click here: Affordable health insurance quote

Obama Care not the answer.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:27:00 -0500
Here are some very basis and understandable reasons that Obama Care is NOT the answer or change we need.

Click here to learn more:No Obama Care

Ever heard of free speech? Not when it comes to health care...

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:53:42 -0500
I thought we had something called free speech in this country?

Apparently baited infomercials and PRO health care reform town halls meeting are ok as long as we listen to what the government has to say......and go along.

Speak against affordable health insurance reform and you will be labeled UN-American and a radical for not going along with the current administrations plans to take over health care as we know it today.

To read more on how scary this really is click here: Un-American for not going along ?

Angry mobs or people just fed up with health care plan?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:07:00 -0500
We have all heard recently about he angry mobs of Grandpa's and Grandmothers complaining at town hall meeting about health care.

Radicals? Un-American? Or are people just fed up with the National health insurance legislation?

Does this look like an angry mob to you? click here:Let me be heard please!

Do we need a public health insurance option?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:52:54 -0500
Many are trying to decide right now whether we need a public/government run health insurance option.

To read about more opinions on this subject click here:Public option yes or no?

To get a free no obligation and instant quote on your health insurance today click here: Free health insurance quote

Will Congress be covered under their own health insurance plan?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:16:00 -0500
Many people are finally getting around to reading the new bill on National health care. Making health insurance affordable is one thing but what it will cover is another.

One other question that has been left unanswered is whether or not members of the US Congress will be covered under this plan or their rich plan they current have access to? That answer is most certainly NO, only us tax payers will be under that plan.

To read more about these questions not being answered click here: Will Pelosi be covered?

Government run health care? Can they even run the Post Office?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:40:02 -0500
The government wants to start running health care for the country which is a much bigger issue than delivering a piece of mail.

Maybe they could fix the Post office first and then move on to health care.

To read more about how the government runs the Postal system click here: US Postal system in the red

When push comes to shove is health insurance so bad?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:45:00 -0500
We have all complained about our health insurance coverage one time or another.

Costs too much.
Not enough coverage.
Deductible is too high.

Many are now starting to look at what the government is proposing and are wondering: Will this really equate to affordable health insurance for all?

According to recent polls over 2/3 rank their current health insurance as good or excellent. Over 74% say the way their health care is delivered now is adequate.

Will the government be able to keep these numbers this high when they try to "help" us all?

Many think that will be very difficult and nearly impossible.

To learn more about how many ARE currently happy click here: Currently happy with health insurance

Hawaii also failed at Universal health care

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:25:29 -0500
The State of Massachusetts is usually the one in the news when we speak of a state run health care plan and whether or not universal care works.

However Hawaii was the first state to adopt such a plan and it has failed miserably as well.

To hear more about HI state run health care plan and what one of their legislators has to say on the sublect click here:Hawaii health care fails

Don't blame the GOP 100% for health care not passing.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:21:00 -0500
The national health care plan has received much criticism from the Republican party but now we are hearing from the Blue Dog democrats as well.

So much so they are one of the main reasons the health care bill is now stalled until.......????

To read more of this click here: Blue Dogs on health care.

More unanswered questions on health care

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:16:00 -0500
We wonder why Congress is having a hard time passing health care reform but with so many unanswered questions it's no wonder.

To read more about what some Americans are asking click here: Health care questions

The questions no one asks about health care....but should.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:10:00 -0500
Over the past week many have now said they are not so sure about the government run health care plan that is being proposed now.

I have a feeling if we ask these questions many more won't like it. Or maybe these questions will never be answered until we go to the Dr with our ObamaCare insurance card.

Let's start asking the right questions and the ones that really matter.

- What procedures will and will NOT be covered?
- I take 2 very expensive but effective name brand drugs...are ALL name brand drugs covered? or only generic ones? Will my name brand drug soon not be available?
- Can I go to any Dr and Hospital I want?
- If I my family makes $75,000 a year is my health care free or do I have to pay a premium for it as well.
- What happens if I don't sign up?
- Can I sign up when I need it and drop it when I don't?
- My Dr says an experimental procedure may save my life....can I have this done?
- How come it is currently illegal to buy drugs from other countries because they are not FDA approved but now the government says they are going to start allowing this? What changed recently to make these drugs safe now?
- There will be no deductibles, co-pays, or a % I will have to pay for medical services? It's all 100% free?
- I live in Maryland and the State of MD makes my health insurance company pay for hair transplants. Will the government plan pay for my hair transplant in any state?
- Will you pay my Dr the same amount that my insurance company pays her now or less?
- Can I sue the government like I can my health insurance company if they do not allow a certain procedure?
- Can I sue my Dr for not giving me the care I need because the government would not let him?
- I am 87 years old and have a heart condition but I need both of my hips replaced, can I get this done?
- My Dr likes to check my cholesterol 4 times a year with blood work. How many times will the government allow this?
- My Dr said I need to lose some weight. Will ObamaCare pay for Weight Watchers for me?
- I want to quit smoking and i have already tried 4 times and spent a lot of money but I still smoke. Will the government pay for me to keep trying as much as I like?

These questions, and a few others I think many would like to know. Will we ever find out before the bill is law?

Even the Democrats don't like the health care bill.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:12:00 -0500
We have all heard the news that the GOP has been trying to block the health care bill from passing. Many think this is just politics as usual but now we have some Democrats that can't quite bring themselves to backing the bill either.

To read more about this click here: Democrats and the health care bill

'If you like your Dr you can keep him' don't you believe it...

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:39:13 -0500
We have heard 2 lines pertaining to health care over and over recently:

"If you like your Dr....you can keep him"

"If you like your insurance....you can keep it"

Well this may be true but only for about 1-2 years at most if the government gets their way and fully takes over health care like they want.

The government plan is supposed to make health insurance more accountable and more competitive.

What people are not talking about are a few simple facts:

The government currently pays an average of $45.00 for an office call for Medicare and Medicaid (the current government run health system for the poor and elderly)
Health Insurance companies have to pay an average of $72.00 for the same office call.
Competition? With who the government?

How can and will insurance survive if they have to pay this much more for just an office call?
Quite simply, they can't and won't. This would be like a high school basketball team playing the LA Lakers.

How much will they pay your Dr when they completely take over the system? $30 for an office call?
Will we get the same care when they lower the current reimbursement because the costs are too high?
We can almost certainly bet our care will diminish from lower payment rates and what the government will, and will not pay for.
How many herds, and herds of people are going to be flocking to your Dr's office because it's "free"?

Once you are in the government fence it will be impossible to get out. They can't gather everyone at once into this fence or it would overload the system quickly which is why they say "keep your current insurance" for now at least.....but their ultimate intention is....not forever.......

To find out how you can buy affordable health insurance now and hopefully for a long time to come click here:Real health insurance quote

Public support for Obamacare is now slipping.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:25:25 -0500
After numerous baited infomercials and as much pro media attention attention as you can possibly get the American public may not be buying into National health care.

A recent poll indicated that public support has dropped to below 50% for the first time since the election.

Why?

Maybe the American public is starting to realize:

- The private option they speak of is a temporary thing until the government run plan can run them out of business leaving only a public option. Once we are in their fence we will not be able to get out.
- Small business owners and the middle class will be drastically impacted.
- The new bill does nothing to address health care costs which is the root of the problem.
- 80% of us have health insurance and the government currently regulates them heavily. Now they might not do such a great job at this but what will happen when they are in charge of policing themselves?
- The government NEVER estimates what a program will cost correctly. The $1.6 trillion they speak of could, and probably will end up costing in excess of $2.1-$2.3 trillion or more.
- No solid answers to question just a quick bill and a hard press to pass it as quick as they can....before anyone reads it.....we have done this before, recently I might add and we all know the result.

To read more about the growing lack of support for government health care click here:Public support below 50%

Private Health Insurance versus Public.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:33:00 -0500
Here are just a few thoughts to consider when thinking about a private insurance plan versus the public option the government is presenting.

Health Insurance as it stands is not a perfect system and one of the main reasons is it is one of the most highly government regulated industries in the entire US.
There are both State and Federal mandates (over 3,000 total) that require health insurance companies to pay for certain procedures, drugs, etc.
In other words the government is already playing watch dog for this industry and by doing so they continue to drive up the costs with every mandate.

With a public government run system the watch dog for the government is the government itself. So in other words they will be policing themselves as well as the insurance companies.

It really doesn't take someone in the health care industry to figure out for the government to be competitive they will NOT require the same set of rules for their plan as they do for a private plan.

If you are facing cancer who do you want telling you what, when, and how the treatment you will receive will be delivered?

To learn about the costs of a private health insurance plan and to receive a free no obligation quote for private health insurance click here: Free instant health insurance quote

A new idea on health care.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:08:00 -0500
As we listen to all the recent media coverage on the new administrations health care bill here is a new take from an AZ Congressman.

To hear more about his ideas that you will probably not here from main stream media click here:More health care ideas costing less money

Small business owners speak out against public option

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:43:00 -0500
Small business owners generally have the hardest time when it come to purchasing health care. Next to payroll expenses it can be one of their greatest monthly expenses.

So why would a small business group not want to lower one of their highest monthly expenses by letting the government take it over?

Maybe because they know it will have the opposite effect.

To read more about what groups like NFIB are saying about government run health care here:Small business against government health care

Get a free health insurance quote now: Free health insurance quote

Will American's 'pay up' for health care?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:42:00 -0500
Some like to use the word 'free' when it comes to a government run health care plan but is it really going to be free? Anyone who has taken Economics 101 can tell you that it will not be 'free' and will cost big time. With every "free" entitlement program like the government is proposing comes a cost to every hard working tax payer. The costs, like every government program will start out at one price and gradually grow to out of control levels like most other government run programs.

America wants health care but do they want to pay the price the government says it costs with no guard dog watching them with our money.

More on this here: Paying the cost of health care

Is anyone going to read the new health care bill?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0500
Now that we have a draft of the new health care legislation is this going to end up just like the famous 1,500 page stimulus document that no one read?

Apparently so according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) MD it's too long and too much trouble to read before actually voting on it.
He claims that if everyone did read it they would have very few votes..........hmmmmm well that makes me feel much better about our legislative process now. Why read anything? Just pass the law and worry about the details later.

To read more about what Rep Hoyer has to saw on the subject click here: No need to read health care bill

How many Czar's do we need?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:24:00 -0500
It looks like now we are going to get a Health Insurance Czar to add to our list of the other Czar's we already have in place.

Who is policing all these Czar's and what they do?

Apparently no one...........just like the government likes it.....do as we say not as we do....

To learn more about the health insurance Czar and what some are saying click here:Health Insurance Czar

The US government will have to say NO when it comes to health care.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:57:00 -0500
As American's, many think we have a far from flawless health care system.

Here are a few things to consider though:

When we need a test.....we get one.
When we need surgery......we get it.
When we need a name brand drug that is not available anywhere in the world but here...... we get it.
When we are 80 years old and need a hip replacement......we get one.

Why? Because IF you have health insurance (and 80% of us do) the government now mandates the insurance company must pay for all of these procedures and then some.

What will the government mandate of themselves when they are watching the cash register ring up?

The reason health care is so hard to fix in this country is quite frankly we are a very spoiled country when it comes to health care and treatment. As much as we all complain it's far better that most countries.

Don't buy this and you are a fan of a single payer system like Canada?

Ask a Canadian if they can go get any medication they want as long as the Dr. says they can have it. Most, including Sicko Michael Moore will say "yep I sure can...any medication I want".

The truth is they CAN'T but they don't know any better!! All they know is what the government approves, and their Dr. (who also works FOR the government) will not prescribe anything that is not approved because quite simply they can't.

We have hundreds of drugs and procedures in this country that are NOT available in Canada. Why? They cost too much and the Canadian government is not going to flip for the tab. You don't need that drug.....take this instead.....you are too old for that surgery.....take this pill instead. In other words......it's cheaper to do this.

As Americans we always want and expect the best and usually that doesn't come cheap. When it comes to your health and fixing something when you are sick do you want the cheapest procedure you can get or the most effective?

The US government also knows they too will have to start saying NO. They don't want anyone to know this because it will hamper reform, the fact of the matter is they don't have a choice, they will have to limit our healthcare because of the cost, but at that point we all won't know any better either.

To read more about why the US government will have to say NO click here: Saying NO to the US public

Another fine example of a player and referee playing in the same game.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:56:28 -0500
With all the talk on health insurance reform who will be the one watching the tax payers money to see where it's being spent.

How about a person named Nancy-Ann DeParte who is now the White House Reform Chief for the Obama administration? She has been the head of many major health care organizations, made over $6 million a year, and has been accused of scamming the tax payers out of millions from fraudulent claim practices.

This sounds just like the person we need keeping an eye on the tax payer cash register! Is she part of the problem or part of the solution? This is the person in charge of REFORM.........hmmmm.
Or does this administration just want some of that money and found the right person to go get it for them?

To learn more about this click here: Obama Reform Chief person ran shell game on health claims

Town hall meeting is just a staged informercial

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:38:00 -0500
Ever since the last Presidential election we have seen numerous town hall meetings that are supposed to reach out to the public and cause transparency with the government. Now we know these are all staged events with questions pre-arraigned beforehand.

Helen Thomas who was pretty much a nightmare on the Bush administration has now called out the Obama White House as well.

When is the next town hall......I mean infomercial meeting?

To see Helen Thomas and Chip Reid from CBS rip White House press secretary Robert Gibbs click here:Gibbs get ripped on town hall meeting

Government health insurance for free.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:02:00 -0500
What are the costs of the government run health plans going to be?

$2 Trillion?
$1.6 Trillion?
$1 Trillion?

Now it's ONLY $611.4 Billion? How did we just go down a Trillion? Maybe because it was not sellable at $1.6 Trillion so why not say it's less and worry about it later.....once your in....your in.

Why don't we just say it's going to be free or it only costs a dollar because no one believes these numbers are true so if you are going to lie you might as well do it right.

To see more of the economic lies associated with National health care click here if not don't waste your time: Health plan costs lies

Small Business group NFIB not buying government health plan option.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:59:00 -0500
NFIB the Nation's largest small business group is not buying the Federal health plan option.

To read more about why they oppose this for small business click here: NFIB opposes government health option

President Obama's dirty little secret.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:14:00 -0500
80% of the US population is satisfied with their current health care.
20% is not because they do not have any, or are not willing to buy any.

If you believe the statement "If you like your current plan keep it....if you like your Dr you can keep them"

This is one big smoke screen to herd the American public into the ObamaCare fence and once you are in you can't get out !!

Private insurers cannot compete with a government plan. Why? Because the government reimburses what they want to the Dr's, hospitals, and drug companies. Meanwhile they mandate the insurance companies must pay a higher amount, must pay for this procedure, etc.
The rules for the government will be way different than they are with private insurance now.

To read more about this dirty little secret click here:Secret

Health Care reform inevitable? Maybe? Maybe not !

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:27:49 -0500
Just a few short months ago the talk was that health care reform is inevitable. Of course this was the way it was sold to us by the current administration but now the fine details are coming to the surface we are starting to see the fire go out.

Government plans say they can operate in a more efficient way which will drive down the costs. Many who watch the government and their inefficiency are a little more that skeptical about this.

In fact Medicare often used as an example of how the government runs a health plan. However, a study published by the Pacific Research Institute finds that since 1970 Medicare's costs have risen 34% a year faster than the rest of health care.

Efficiency? Where because I don;t see it. To read about this study and other click here: Government health care inefficiency

What's next for "OTrama" Health Care

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:35:00 -0500
Last Wed we saw ABC broadcast an Obama, I mean "OTrama" infomercial on national health care. Opponents of this were NOT allowed to advertise during the "town hall meeting" AKA infomercial.

Is this a bipartisan effort?

To see more on the infomercial outrage click here: Health Infomercial

Obama makes some new friends in the drug industry

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:29:00 -0500
A few days ago it was announced that the drug manufactures and the Obama administration have come to some terms.

The drug companies say they will start to offer discounts to the elderly over the next 10 years.

This however is a pebble in the ocean compared to what the real price tag will be. So why is everyone all excited about these potential cost savings from the pharmaceutical companies?

It wouldn't have anything to do with the amount of lobbying money they spend would it?

Click here to see how much money the drug companies spent just in Q-1 2009: Drug companies spend millions lobbying

Health Insurance groups weigh in on Obama plan

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:21:00 -0500
Now that the AMA and the Actuaries have weighed in with their disapproval of government run health care the health insurance industry has now submitted their thoughts.

All three groups have similar opinions when it comes to government run health care.

To read more about what the health insurance industry has to say click here:Insurance Industries take on government health care

Small business groups NFIB and NSBA oppose health care bill

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:11:00 -0500
Two small business groups, both of whom work closely with JLBG Health to provide affordable health insurance to their members are opposing recent health care bill legislation.

To read more on NFIB and NSBA's take click here: NFIB and NSBA oppose health care bill

Notes and flies or $1 Trillion worth of lies?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:53:00 -0500
Health care seems to be in the headlines every single day but what gets the most press time?

The other day we saw a town hall debate on health care........the next day on the news all we saw was a handwritten note to a little girls teacher. How nice......

A few days ago we saw a White House interview.........the next day on the news all we saw was our President killing a fly. PETA is mad now..........big story.....

The media seems to be doing a great job lately of reporting and then distracting us from the real issues at hand.

Is this really the news and what we should be paying attention to right now?

Or is that the point........

Watch the fly........watch the fly.........you are getting sleepy, very sleepy.......Oops there goes your wallet!

Is our President just a "regular guy" or is he the best snake oil salesman we have ever seen?

Will your DR like government health care?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:01:01 -0500
What does your DR think about a public government run health care plan?

Have you asked her recently? Maybe the next time you are in you should.

To read more about some DR's opinions of this click here:DR's still wary on Obama plan.

What new health care could mean for you?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:56:00 -0500
Here are a few examples of what we could see in the ever changing world of health care.

I'm sure most would agree some good things, some not so good things, and many undecided things.

Most would agree using the words "free health care" is really not true by any stretch.

To read more click here: New health care

Paying for our Nation's Health Care.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:20:07 -0500
One of the biggest challenges the US government will have with a public health insurance option is how will we pay for it?

Raise taxes? lower the rate of reimbursement to Medicare, DR's, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies?

Click here to read more of the issues the government will face: Finding money for health care

Or will we just spend the money and worry about it later just like the $1 trillion+ we have spent since Sept 2008 and we have no accounting for it. Click here to read where your money has gone since last year: Where did our money go?

DR's group now opposes government health care plan.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:29:00 -0500
The AMA just announced they are no longer playing along with the new proposed public health care plan. Maybe they know something we don't know. They may know that the government claims they will try and pay the providers 10% more than they reimburse for Medicare now. However, this is still 30-40% less than private health insurance has to pay currently in some cases. In addition who is to say when the government is providing health care to all of us and we are all within their fence they don't come back and say we can no longer pay 10% above Medicare rates. In fact, we now see it was more than we thought it was (this never happens to the US government by the way) and we can now only pay 10% less then Medicare reimbursement rates. Will your DR. be happy with a herd of cattle running through their office for 50% less pay?

To learn more about what the AMA has to say on this issue click here: AMA changes opinion of government option

Some very interesting questions concerning public health care.

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:22:00 -0500
Have we not yet learned from our mistakes? We need to ask more questions of the government as to how a public health care plans works BEFORE it goes one step further. We cannot continue to just hope everything will be fine because the new administration says it will be. They are proving once again that all they want to do is pass legislation and worry about the details later. This is far too large of an issue to not have any details worked out and be on a stage giving a dog and pony show.

To read more about some questions being ask right now click here:The questions we need to start asking about government health care.

Government run health care or just another Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac waiting to happen?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:36:00 -0500
Is government run health care going to work for this country or will it turn out to be another financial disaster like the sub-prime mortgage industry?

Most economists agree that one of the driving factors to the financial crisis the US is facing right now stems from the improper lending practices of government controlled and now government owned mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

By forcing the lending institutions to provide mortgages to those who may have not been the best candidates led to the ultimate downfall of the mortgage industry and US markets as we once knew it. When the government says don't worry and that they can help everyone and will back it up by guaranteeing the note, the banks don't have anything to worry about right? Well we all know that was wrong now and it will also be in the future.

The US government in it's ultimate wisdom tried to help the minority and ended up costing the majority in the end. You see the government does not understand risk factors and underwriting risk until they have to start writing checks (with tax payers money) for bad loans which they said all along were ok, they would back them, and to continue on. Only a business with their own money on the line and stockholders to answer to will truly understand risk factors.

Don't buy this? Check out the congressional hearing from the past several years leading up to where we are now.

Now how does health care compare to this and how could it end up with the same result?

Well many in the US government think that health insurance should not be a business. In other words why should a business make money off someones health?

The other side of this is:

Why should a funeral home make money off someones death? That's not very fair.

Why should a mechanic make money off fixing someone's car that broke and it wasn't their fault? This also doesn't seem fair.

Why should a Doctor or hospital profit from keeping someone alive?

Answer: The US was built around free markets, free enterprise, and Capitalism.

Since the passage of the Kennedy/Kassebaum bill in 1997 the government has been placing underwriting restrictions, limiting the amount the health insurance companies can charge in premiums, mandating how they cover lifestyle events, etc. This has done nothing but drive up premiums throughout the entire country and cause many, many more to be uninsured. In 1997 we had a health care problem which the government helped turn into the crisis we have today. Every time they get involved it gets worse not better.

Don't believe this either? Check out health insurance premiums in the most government regulated states like: Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. You will find premiums in those states to be as much as double for similar coverage in other states.

Moving into 2010 the new administration in an effort to once again help everyone, does not want the health insurance companies to run a business any longer. They quite simply want to turn it into a charity event. The restrictions we will now see will be even more extreme than we saw in 1997. The current administration does not want the health insurance companies to factor in such risk categories like: health status, age, or geographic location. However any actuary will tell you these are three of the most important factors to underwriting risk for health insurance on a government program, or in the private sector.

There is one big difference. The government will NOT be backing the bad underwriting decisions the health insurance companies will be forced to make if they want to stay in business. I guess the government did learn one thing from Freddie and Fannie.

Can the US now handle the collapse of the health insurance industry in addition to the banks, car manufactures, and one large life insurance company (who invested in Freddie and Fannie) already?

Should we continue to help the minority or hurt the majority?

Maybe this is the intent of the new administration to make it so difficult to do business (like they have been doing) they will just take it over like they did the rest of these failing industries and ultimately make it worse.

Illinois's new dependent health insurance law HB5285 PA 95-0958

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:21:00 -0500
Illinois has recently passed a new dependent health insurance law that went into effect on 6/1/09.

IL HB 5285
IL PA-0958

Most people reading the news about the new law would see this as a victory for residents of Illinois. Dependent children now have to be covered until age 26.

Here is another take you will probably not read about.

The new law also states insurance companies cannot decline or exclude (rider) conditions for dependents.
So in reality this will only cause more people to be uninsured.

Example:
A family of 4 living in Illinois was recently offered a health insurance policy for an annual premium of $2,647 per year or $220.00 per month. Their children were on a few medications that the family was willing to pay for out of their own pocket, due to a substantial savings in premium. If they would have applied and the policy was issued prior to 6/1/09 they would have insurance today.

However......the offer of coverage came after 6/1/09 and due to this new law their new premium was now going to be $7,847 per year or $653.00 per month. Remember they were willing to pay for their children's medicine out of their own pocket, because of the money they would have saved in premium. The Illinois government took that option away and now they, unfortunately, are one of the 47 million uninsured.

Is the government helping or hurting?

Is it more difficult to get health insurance in some states?

nospam@example.com (Todd Page) — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:52:00 -0500
The answer quite simply is yes.

There are many factors that contribute to why health insurance premiums are higher is some states. You may be able to buy a health insurance policy in one state and in another you could be declined coverage all together.

Here is one example:

A family of 4 living in California is currently paying $927.00 per month for health insurance.

Due to cost, they shop around and find a more affordable family health insurance policy for only $412.00 per month. A savings of $6,180 per year! Sounds like a great deal and it is. There is a catch. The family of 4 is on 3 medications and California does not allow health insurance companies to exclude (rider) any pre-existing conditions.

That probably sounds like a great idea California has come up with.

Maybe not........

Remember, the savings is over $6,000 per year. Although, because the state does not allow the insurance companies to exclude coverage for the drugs, most insurance companies will decline to offer coverage.

Take this same family and move them to a bordering state like Nevada or Arizona and they WOULD be offered health insurance coverage. Yes, the current drugs would be excluded but they have a CHOICE. Do their drugs cost more than $6,000 a year? Probably not. This would be a great option for many. If their cost for the medication is over $6,000 per year they may decide to stay on their current plan. But again they would have that choice.

The California government decided that taking away choice would be best for consumers, therefore this family will either continue to pay $900.00+ per month or join the 47 million uninsured.

COBRA Subsidy finalized in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

nospam@example.com (JLBG Health) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:22:49 -0600
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 requires employers to subsidize COBRA coverage by paying 65 percent of COBRA premiums for employees who involuntarily lost or lose their employment between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. The subsidy will last up to 9 months for each eligible COBRA participant. Employers will be reimbursed by a payroll tax credit.

The subsidy is meant to help employees keep their employer sponsored group health insurance through COBRA. Employees who choose to continue their health insurance benefits through COBRA pay up to 102 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums.

Those who continue health insurance benefits through COBRA are typically unhealthy and cannot purchase individual health insurance do to pre-existing conditions or ongoing medical care. For those who are healthy, purchasing individual medical insurance is a much better alternative.

Individual health insurance is an affordable and flexible alternative to continuing employer sponsored group insurance through COBRA. With COBRA, you are continuing the health insurance plan you had while employed. These plans are used as employee recruiting and retention tools and as a result are usually rich in benefits. A typical employer sponsored group medical plan offers low deductibles and co-pay's for doctor visits and prescription drugs. This translates into hefty monthly premiums, as much as $1500 per month for a family of four. As an example, most employer sponsored group medical plans provide maternity benefits, electing COBRA means you'll pay for those benefits even though you may never use them. Exploring your options with individual health insurance can save you thousands of dollars.

There is no doubt that the subsidy will provide temporary relief to those who must elect COBRA. If the intention of the government is to help people maintain needed health insurance coverage, a tax credit for purchasing individual medical insurance would have been a great addition to the legislation.

When did the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) take effect?

Who is eligible for the subsidy?

When will the subsidy start?

Is there an income limitation for the subsidy?

How does the subsidy work for the employer or plan sponsor?

How long does the subsidy apply?

Who is eligible for the additional 60-day election period?

What additional notice requirements does ARRA create?

When did the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) take effect?

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law on February 17, 2009. ARRA is effective on March 1, 2009.

Who is eligible for the subsidy?

Assistance eligible individuals (AEIs) are eligible for the subsidy. They consist of employees who are COBRA qualified beneficiaries and meet specific criteria.
1. The individual must experience a qualifying event that is an involuntary termination of employment
2. The qualifying event must take place between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, and
3. The individual must elect COBRA during their initial election period or the additional, 60-day election period.
The COBRA subsidy also applies to employees who involuntarily lost their employment as far back as September 1, 2008. Employees who fall into this category but did not initially elect COBRA coverage will have an additional, 60-day period to elect COBRA with reduced premiums.

When will the subsidy start?

March 1, 2009 marks the first period of coverage for most employers and AEIs. A "period of coverage" is the monthly period for which COBRA premiums are charged.

Is there an income limitation for the subsidy?

Yes. All AEIs are eligible for the subsidy, but certain high-income individuals could be required to repay the subsidy as an additional tax called a "recapture tax".
AEIs who earn less than $125,000 (single) or $250,000 (married) are not subject to the recapture tax. AEIs who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 (single) and $250,000 and $290,000 (family) are eligible based on a sliding scale. All subsidy amounts for those who earn over $145,000 (single) and $290,000 (family) must be
claimed as a recapture tax.

How does the subsidy work for the employer?

Employers must pay the 65 percent subsidy beginning March 1, 2009. The employer is then entitled to a credit toward payroll taxes.

How long does the subsidy apply?

The subsidy will apply for the first period of coverage beginning March 1, 2009, and last for nine months.

Who is eligible for the additional 60-day election period?

Employers must allow an additional 60-day election period to any qualified beneficiary who qualifies for the subsidy but did not initially elect continuation coverage (for example, an employee who involuntarily lost their employment in October, 2008). The additional election period must be offered to those individuals who initially declined or who elected continuation coverage and later terminated the coverage. Coverage for those individuals who elect during the additional election period will become effective for coverage March 1, 2009. They are not retroactively covered to their original loss of coverage date.

What additional notice requirements does ARRA create?

Two additional notices must be sent. The first notice is to those who are subsidy-eligible and have already elected COBRA coverage. It will advise them of the subsidy and how it works.
The second notice will go to those who are eligible for the additional, 60-day election period to inform them of the opportunity to elect continuation coverage with subsidized premiums.