COBRA Health Insurance Subsidies Waiting For Senate Action
People recently laid off are waiting – once again – to hear if they will be eligible for subsidies to stay on their employer’s health insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts Getting Slightly Less Flexible
Changing rules on flexible spending accounts mean that starting next year, you can use money from an FSA account to pay for eyeglasses or acupuncture but not an aspirin — that is, unless you have a prescription for it.
Primary Care Crisis Has Been A Long Time Coming
Calls for more primary care go all the way back to 1933 when the Journal of the American Medical Association noted “the overgrowth of specialism” and the “fadeout of the general practitioner.”
Coverage For Sick Kids Under Question In New Law
The Obama administration says the new health overhaul law bans insurers this year from denying coverage to kids with pre-existing illnesses. Insurers say that’s not their interpretation of the law.
Democrats Seeking Health Care Votes Get “Yes” From 200 Groups
The alliance, spearheaded by the liberal advocacy group Families USA, says “the cost of doing nothing is much too high.”
Doctor Shortage Fuels Nurses’ Push For Expanded Role
Nurse practitioners – like Irene Cavall in North Carolina – are gaining support in their drive to play a larger primary care role. But the powerful AMA is waving a yellow caution flag before state regulators and legislators.
Community Health Centers Providing Return On Investment
The federal stimulus package that sent nearly $2 billion to community health centers appears to have paid off in economic returns.
Fewer Employers Satisfied With Their Health Insurers, Survey Says
A majority said they would increase employees’ cost-sharing responsibilities as part of their cost-control strategy.
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine how a health overhaul would affect Medicaid recipients.
Employer-Based Insurance Explained
As a part of our “Are You Covered?” series, KHN and NPR examine employer-sponsored health insurance.
Experts To Obama: Here’s How To Keep Health Reform From Adding To Deficit
Health economists say their “failsafe” proposal would keep health care spending from growing.
New Poll By Health Advocacy Groups Highlights Concerns About Current Insurance System
More than three quarters of Americans older than age 50 have concerns that the insurance system as it stands now will not be able to continue to pay for medical treatment for them or that of someone they know, according to a poll released Wednesday by the AARP, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association.
Piecemeal Reforms Won’t Control Health Care Costs, Report Says
A new report offers specific recommendations on how to “bend the curve” regarding costs to the nation’s health system.
‘Don’t Choose Paper’: Sebelius, Blumenthal Provide Detail On Health IT Funds
At a forum in Chicago, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Vice President Joe Biden announced Thursday the release of $1.2 billion of stimulus money to help with the adoption of electronic medical records at a forum in Chicago.
An Actuary’s Role In Health Reform: Making Health Reform Viable
All our actions have consequences.
It seems to be what’s missing often from debate, especially around such emotionally-charged arguments as the health care reform debate, but actuaries deal in repercussions, moving behind the scenes, analyzing risk and the future and what health care reform will actually mean for America 5, 10 or 20 years from now.
Amid Stimulus Money, Community Health Centers Look For Their Post-Reform Role
Maisha Challenger never thought she’d have to set foot in a community health center. “I have been working my whole life so I usually am used to going to a doctor’s office,” she said. But after she lost her job as an education lobbyist – and the health insurance that came with it – she […]
Sebelius: Protesters Trying To ‘Silence Debate’
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Friday in a conference call with members of the Service Employees Internation Union that some people protesting at town hall meetings around America are trying to silence the health care debate.
Community Health Centers Strained By Recession, Face Bigger Caseloads Under Reform
While health reform legislation includes additional funds for community health centers, proposals to expand health coverage to the underserved and uninsured could overwhelm facilities that already provide reduced-cost care to 18 million people.
Big Business Group Urges Cost Cutting To Pay For Health Overhaul
John Castellani, president of Business Roundtable, said in a conference call Thursday morning that his group is seeking a health care reform bill that is funded largely through cost savings inside the system, preserves ERISA and stops cost-shifting.
Health Insurance Chief Lobbyist Says “Villain” Comments Hurt Process
On a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning, Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said the “Washington politics as usual” of finger pointing at health insurers is hurting the process of trying to forge consensus on health reform.
