health care reform
Illinois Seeks Comments on Health Insurance Exchange
The state of Illinois is asking for public comment on an online insurance exchange. They are seeking for comments about the financing, governance, and structure of the exchange, which would make health insurance coverage available to individuals and small businesses. Under the healthcare reform laws passed last March, each state must have exchanges operational by […]
Read moreMid-Term Elections and Health Care
Next Tuesday, November 2nd, is election day, and while many people may think it’s okay to blow off mid-term elections, we here at the Insurance Specialists Blog feel differently. In fact, we’re urging everyone to vote. Why? Because the senators and congresspeople who are voted into office next week could determine the future of health […]
Read moreDenying Coverage to Children is Illegal, Washington Commissioner Says
Mike Kreidler, Insurance Commissioner for the state of Washington has issued an order to Regence BlueShield telling them to stop illegally refusing to cover children. Last week, the company announced it would no longer sell policies to children, but according to Kreidler, “Regence is in clear violation of state law that prohibits insurers from denying […]
Read more49% Of People with Pre-Existing Conditions Denied Health Insurance, Report Says
One of the larger elements of the health insurance reform laws that were passed earlier this year was a ban on coverage denials for people with pre-existing health conditions. However, that part of the legislation is not yet in force and, perhaps in anticipation of times to come, the top for-profit health insurers in the […]
Read moreOhio Enacts Emergency Open Enrollment Rule
In order to improve protection for children under the age of nineteen who have pre-existing medical conditions, the Ohio Department of Insurance has issued an emergency rule establishing uniform periods of open enrollment in the state’s individual insurance market. According to the director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, Mary Jo Hudson, “Recently enacted federal […]
Read moreRepresentative King: Blood Oaths and Government Shutdowns to Repeal Health Care Reform
Steve King Demands ‘Blood Oath’ From Boehner To Shut Down The Government ThinkProgress made headlines in today’s Huffington Post with a story about the radical agenda of right-wing congressman Steve King (R-IA) who made a splash earlier this year when he introduced a discharge petition in the House of Representatives meant to repeal the health […]
Read moreHealth Care Reform = Tax Credits for Many
A study released by Families USA, says that as a result of this year’s healthcare reform law, almost 29 million Americans will be eligible for new tax credits in 2014. The total tax break, researchers estimate, will reduce family income taxes by more than $110 billion in just the first year. In a teleconference with […]
Read moreCalifornia Takes Steps to Create Insurance Exhange
It was reported earlier today on the state of health care reform in California. It seems the Golden State is taking steps toward the establishment of a health insurance exchange, as is required in order to be in compliance with federal health care reform law. The California Senate passed two bills which provide the functions […]
Read moreStates Get Premium Oversight Monies
On Tuesday, March 16, the Department of Health and Human Services announced grants to 45 states and the District of Columbia — $1 million each — to monitor how health insurance premiums are being priced and to take action if unfair hikes are detected. The sad truth, and the one HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius hit […]
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