A Health Policy Agenda for the House of Representatives
Heritage.org, DC -
Some Members of Congress seek to resolve this problem by adding yet another layer of regulation on the already overregulated health insurance market. A better idea is to open market competition. Instead of trying to standardize health care regulation across the country, Congress should spur competition among the states by allowing individuals to purchase affordable health care coverage from other states. This approach has two advantages. First, it would empower individuals to purchase a health plan from among a broader assortment of health care products that meet their financial and health care needs. Second, it would retain the primacy of state authority over health insurance law and regulation, thus respecting the principles of federalism. Representative John Shadegg (R-AZ) has sponsored the “Health Care Choice Act” (HR 2355), which would accomplish these objectives. The legislation is based on the interstate banking model and focuses solely on allowing interstate commerce in individual health insurance. As well, the House could also consider expanding interstate commerce to include group health insurance arrangements.
2006-06-19
Planning for long-term care better done early
Chicago Tribune, United States -
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2006-06-18
Coverage for older dependents brings cost, admin worries
Benefitnews.com, NY -
"Employers are worried about the fact that, from what we've seen in the past, this will be a little bit of an administrative nightmare," says David Mordo, director of employee benefits for Walsh Benefits in Fairhaven, N.J., and vice chairman of the New Jersey Association of Health Underwriters legislative management team. "Let's say you have an employee who loves to pay his bills on time. But you have a 28-year-old who pays his premium but decides, Know what? I've got a 30-day grace period. I'm going to hold out till the last moment because there's a CD I'd rather buy or a tank of gas I'd rather get than pay my insurance premium.' Well, insurance carriers require payment in full."
2006-06-16
HOW TO CREATE A COMPETITIVE INSURANCE MARKET
National Center for Policy Analysis, TX -
The Health Care Choice Act would allow consumers to shop for individual insurance on the Internet, over the telephone or through a local agent. Residents of any state would be free to choose among policies from any insurer that offers them. The policies would be regulated by the insurer's home state. Thus, if consumers do not want expensive "Cadillac" health plans that pay for acupuncture, fertility treatments or hairpieces, they could buy from insurers in states that do not mandate such benefits. Consumers would be more likely to find a policy that fits their budget -- giving more people access to affordable insurance, says Herrick.
2006-06-15
AMA: Health Insurance Should Be Required
Houston Chronicle, United States -
2006-06-14
ERC kicks off health care coverage for small businesses
Crain's Cleveland Business, OH -
This comes about a year after COSE announced that it signed a 10-year exclusive deal with Medical Mutual of Ohio Inc., whose Preferred Provider Organization does not include the University Hospitals Health System, Akron City Hospital or St. Thomas Hospital in Akron. Though ERC has been working on its deal with UnitedHealthcare for about a year and stresses that its plans offer more variety, he said it�s not a move to steal some of COSE�s 16,000 members.
2006-06-13
Assembly Pushes For Passage Of Mental Health Parity Bill
North Country Gazette, NY -
Timothy's Law is supported by more than 320 state organizations united under the Timothy's Law Campaign, including Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State; Coalition for the Homeless; Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies; Families Together in New York State; Mental Health Association in New York State; National Alliance on Mental Illness in New York State; New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services; New York State Coalition for Children's Mental Health Services; New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare; New York State Psychiatric Association; New York State Psychological Association; New York State Rehabilitation Association; and Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. 6-12-06
1. CMS has published FY06 final allotments available to states to initiate and expand health insurance coverage to uninsured
CMS has published FY06 final allotments available to states to initiate and expand health insurance coverage to uninsured.(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ...
2. Increasing health insurance costs and the decline in insurance coverage
Objective. To determine the impact of rising health insurance premiums on coverage rates.
3. The effects of state mental health parity legislation on perceived quality of insurance coverage, perceived access to care, and use of mental health specialty
Objective. To assess the impacts of recent state mental health parity legislation on perceived quality of health insurance coverage, perceived access ...
4. Head Games - Buzz - attempts to mandate mental health insurance coverage - Brief Article
Head Games. (Buzz).(attempts to mandate mental health insurance coverage)
5. States cut public health insurance coverage in response to budget pressures
States cut public health insurance coverage in response to budget pressures.(Industry Watch)