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Poll: Number of Kentuckians without health insurance has fallen dramatically

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The ranks of the uninsured have declined more in Kentucky than in most other states since health care reform went into effect, according to a new poll. Only 11.9 percent of Kentucky adults now lack health insurance, compared with 20.4 percent last year, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. The only state that has seen a steeper decrease since January, when the Affordable Care Act kicked in, is Arkansas, according to a Gallup Poll. "From day one, Kentuckians swarmed our exchange, kynect, eager… Reported by bizjournals 9 hours ago.

Chinese Imitations vs Medtronic and DePuy Synthes: Rapid Growth Expected in the Chinese Spinal Implant Market

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Approximately 50% of open corrective spinal surgery in China accounted for just under 25% of corrective spinal device sales revenues in 2013, reports iData Research

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

August 7, 2014 – Vancouver, BC – According to spinal implant market data released by iData Research (http://www.idataresearch.com), the open surgery spinal implant market in China is projected to be worth over $1 billion by 2019. While DePuy Synthes and Medtronic compete for this market’s top position, domestic competitors collectively threaten both companies by driving down selling prices. Local Chinese medical device providers do not face the same production and distribution costs that international superpowers like DePuy Synthes and Medtronic have to handle.

“Not all, but many local Chinese competitors in this market imitate imported device designs, despite patent laws,” explains Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData. “These sell for a fraction of the cost of their imported equivalents and ultimately hold back the overall market value.” For more complex and dangerous spinal implant surgeries, Chinese surgeons tend to favor official DePuy Synthes and Medtronic products.
Other key findings from the iData Research report entitled Chinese and Taiwanese Markets for Spinal Implants:

Domestic Preferences for Degenerative Disease Treatment: Out of the total number of thoracolumbar spinal implant procedures performed in China, 75% were for the treatment of degenerative diseases. Domestically manufactured products are chosen frequently for the treatment of this type of indication, as it tends to involve a less complicated procedure.

Better Health Insurance Coverage: Not only are more Chinese citizens being covered by health insurance, but also more of them are expecting proper medical treatment. This cultural shift, combined with economic development, is one of the main drivers of the Chinese spinal implant market.·     Potential Loss in Consumer Confidence: Domestically produced spinal implants that imitate the designs of global market leaders may not be held to as high production standards. If an increased rate of surgical complication becomes apparent, especially in the delicate spinal region, consumers may lose confidence in all corrective spinal surgery products.

As a counter-measure, companies like Medtronic are starting to change their market strategy. The largest local competitor in China is Wei Gao; in 2007, Medtronic purchased 15% equity in this company. Then, in 2012, Medtronic acquired KangHui Holdings, a Chinese orthopedics company, for $816 million. The acquisition of KangHui specifically allows Medtronic to produce and sell lower-end products, which are in high demand in China. Other competitors in the Chinese spinal implant market include Stryker, Zimmer, B. Braun Aesculap, LDR, Paradigm Spine and Alphatec Spine.
For more information
The 2014 Asia-Pacific Spinal Implant and Vertebral Compression Fracture market report includes Spinal Fusion, Thoracolumbar Fixation, Cervical Artificial Disc, Interbody Fusion, Artificial Disc, Dynamic Stabilization and Vertebral Compression Fracture.

About iData Research
iData Research (http://www.idataresearch.com) is an international market research and consulting group focused on providing market intelligence for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. iData covers research in: Diabetes Drugs, Diabetes Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Anesthesiology, Wound Management, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Ophthalmics, Endoscopy, Gynecology, Urology and more. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

NC Senate: Repub. Tillis Shows Momentum Against Kay Hagan

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NC Senate: Repub. Tillis Shows Momentum Against Kay Hagan In various Senate forecasts, North Carolina has looked tough for Republicans. Earlier this week Five Thirty Eight's Nate Silver gave Republican nominee Thom Tillis only a 50/50 chance of beating Senator Kay Hagan, the Democrat incumbent who rode the Obama wave to unseat Republican Elizabeth Dole in '08. Two weeks ago the Washington Post gave Republicans an 86% chance of taking over the Senate, but that was without winning North Carolina.

A look at the Real Clear Politics poll of polls, however, shows that the race is not only statistically tied but that the momentum appears to be with Tillis. After a prolonged and expensive media attack, Hagan had crept ahead of Tillis for much of June by about 3 points in the poll of polls. Not only is that lead gone, Tillis has jumped to small lead in the last two polls.

Republican pollster Civitas had Hagan up by 4 points mid-June. Their latest poll, released at the end of July, has Tillis up by 2.

Only now is the race really heating up, which is obviously better news for Tillis than Hagan.

The good news for Hagan is that she has $8 million in her war chest compared to just $1.5 million for Tillis. But as a resident of North Carolina, I can tell you that outside groups are helping to make up the difference in the all-important ad wars.

Other than money, a big Tillis disadvantage is Sean Haugh, a Libertarian on the ballot who is sucking up more votes from Tillis than Hagan. When Haugh is added to the Civitas poll mentioned above, Hagan takes a 2 point lead. These third party candidates do tend to dwindle away to something close to zero by election day, but Tillis shouldn't count on that.

Hagan's disadvantages are just as steep. Her approval rating in the state is in the 30s, as is Obama's, and Tillis is doing a good job of tying Hagan to Obama -- and fairly so. She's voted with the president 95% of the time, including for the ObamaCare boondoggle. Tillis's approval ratings are also underwater but he's not as well known as Hagan.

Hagan's plan is to tie Tillis to his role as the state's House Speaker. But those ugly budget battles are now over (I won't bore you with the details) and out of the news and soon to be out of the public's memory.

Obama's parade of horrible is almost certainly going to continue to make news straight through to November.  

Overall, Hagan has been a terrible Senator for North Carolina. Most unforgivable was that she  knowingly and repeatedly lied to us about being able to keep our health insurance and doctors under ObamaCare.  And Hagan kept lying to us long after it became obvious that was a lie.

Follow  John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC                Reported by Breitbart 6 hours ago.

Under Obamacare, some workers to be auto-enrolled in health plans

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Newly hired employees who don't sign up for health insurance on the job could have it done for them. Reported by CNNMoney 6 hours ago.

Obamacare to auto-enroll some workers

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An Obamacare provision that could be implemented as early as next year requires employers with 200-plus workers to enroll them in employer health insurance. Employees could opt-out. Reported by CNNMoney 4 hours ago.

Obamacare individual mandate isn't so much of a mandate

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The president's Affordable Care Act forces you to buy health insurance or pay a fine, but exemptions abound Reported by CBS News 4 hours ago.

Wimbledon Health Partners Continues Expansion Appoints Stewart Whyte as Chief Operating Officer

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Wimbledon Health Partners (WHP), a leading on-site diagnostic testing company, appointed Stewart Whyte as Chief Operating Officer in yet another sign of the company's increasing market leadership. Whyte, a healthcare industry leader, has been charged with managing the growing organizations operations.

Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

Wimbledon Health Partners (WHP), a leading on-site diagnostic testing company, appointed Stewart Whyte as Chief Operating Officer in yet another sign of the company's increasing market leadership. Whyte, a healthcare industry leader, has been charged with managing the growing organizations operations. With a successful track record in major to early stage companies expanding over 35 years in the healthcare industry, Mr. Whyte will apply his leadership expertise with some of the most innovative healthcare companies in the world to his newly appointed position with Wimbledon Health Partners.

Hiring Mr. Whyte is further evidence of Wimbledon Health Partners enduring commitment to enhance the strength of its executive team. Whyte brings with him major achievements from his experience with Liberty Life, Discovery Holdings and Destiny Health. As Chief Executive of Operations, Charter Member and Senior Executive Director of Operations with Destiny and Discovery Health, he succeeded in migrating the back office functionality of Destiny Health, in Chicago, IL to its parent company, Discovery Holdings in South Africa. The same model was utilized in the joint venture between Discovery Holdings and Prudential Health Insurance, UK. Additionally, Mr. Whyte chartered the operational aspects of Discovery Health, collecting contributions of $200 million per month and a market cap worth $2 billion.

Mr. Whyte will focus his efforts on further developing Wimbledon Health Partners exceedingly well-run operations. He will draw on his extensive knowledge of claims processing systems, contribution management, medical management services, and leadership in implementing a model department to further the forecasted growth.

“I am truly excited about joining Wimbledon Health Partners, as the potential for growth both inside the United States and internationally is seemingly limitless. Although I have been in healthcare for over 35 years and have been involved with both small and large ventures, the potential I see at Wimbledon has me very excited. Wimbledon has built a solid foundation and with my extensive knowledge and contacts in the industry we are well on the way to building a billion dollar company,” stated Whyte.

About Wimbledon Health Partners:

Wimbledon Health Partners is a national on-site diagnostic testing organization with capabilities for diagnosing circulatory conditions that can be detected through the use of cardiovascular ultrasound and echocardiogram. Additional capabilities include nerve conduction velocity testing (NCV), which is utilized to support the diagnosis of nerve involvement of circulatory disease, and help assess cardiovascular risk. Wimbledon Health Partners provides an innovative cooperative marketing and practice-enhancement program to physicians with the educational, compliance, and marketing tools necessary to deliver quality state-of-the-art in-office testing procedures. For more information go to http://www.dxtesting.com or call 855-200-8262. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.

Boston Medical Center, Partners look to state as insurance losses mount

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Boston Medical Center’s operating gains in the nine months that ended June 30 were vastly overshadowed by losses within its health insurance subsidiary, largely due to ongoing state health policy and operational problems and a volatile regulatory environment. HealthNet Plan, which provides subsidized insurance through Boston Medical Center, reported a net $24 million loss during the same nine-month period. During the same span, BMC said its core care operations booked a $4.8 million operating… Reported by bizjournals 3 hours ago.

90% of the Uninsured Will Pay Zero Obamacare Penalty

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90% of the Uninsured Will Pay Zero Obamacare Penalty A new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation finds that Obamacare's myriad exemptions mean nearly 90% of America's 30 million uninsured individuals will pay zero penalty as part of the individual mandate. 

In an effort to soften one of Obamacare's most unpopular provisions ahead of the midterm elections, the Obama administration carved out 14 so-called hardship exemptions in December to allow individuals to sidestep having to pay the much-maligned $95 tax or 1% of family income--a figure that jumps to $695 per adult or 2.5% of family income by 2016. 

"If your pajamas don't fit well, you don't need health insurance," joked former CBO director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, now President of the American Action Forum, to the Wall Street Journal. "It basically waives the individual mandate." 

Obamacare remains more unpopular than ever, according to the latest Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation poll. Just 37% of Americans say they support President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement, Obamacare. Reported by Breitbart 2 hours ago.

Fewer Physicians, Hospitals May Accept Obamacare Plans In Future

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Fewer Physicians, Hospitals May Accept Obamacare Plans In Future
Fewer Physicians, Hospitals May Accept Obamacare Plans In Future
Health
Nation
Politics
obamacare, health care, health insurance, physicians, medicade, obama, medicare
Has Been Optimized

Some doctors and medical care experts are worried that individuals with Obamacare may begin to see fewer options for quality health care if more and more doctors stop accepting the plan.

Low reimbursement rates for doctors is causing some doctors to say that they can no longer afford to accept Obamacare coverage, according to NPR  and the Daily Caller.

About eight million people on Obamacare reportedly have fewer options than those with private health insurance when it comes to physicians and hospitals that will accept them.

But some people are starting to worry that the narrow network problem with Obamacare will leave people on the plan in a bad situation if the trend continues.

If physicians continue to see low reimbursement rates and are financially struggling, more and more will begin refusing the plan.

In an NPR interview, Dr. Doug Gerard from Connecticut said that a private insurance agency would reimburse a physician $100 while Medicare and Obamacare would pay around $80. For Gerard, the lower rate would eventually cause his practice to go under he said.

“I cannot accept a plan (in which) potentially commercial-type reimbursement rates were now going to be reimbursed at Medicare rates,” Gerard said.  ”You have to maintain a certain mix in private practice between the low reimbursers and the high reimbursers to be able to keep the lights on.”

Gerard said he thinks more physicians will start to recognize and feel the effects of the lower rates they are accepting with Obamacare.

“I don’t think most physicians know what they’re being reimbursed,” Gerard said. “Only when they start seeing some of those rates come through will they realize how low the rates are they agreed to.”

Connecticut Obamacare chief Kevin Counihan told NPR that the administration, and carriers, are trying to stop this dangerous trend.

“I think it could lead potentially to this kind of distinction that there are these different tiers of quality of care,” Counihan said.

Source: NPR, Daily Caller

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Video Piece: 
Regular Piece
OV in Depth:  Reported by Opposing Views 1 hour ago.

If You Like Your Exemption, Keep It: 90% Of Uninsured Won't Pay Obamacare Penalties

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If You Like Your Exemption, Keep It: 90% Of Uninsured Won't Pay Obamacare Penalties No insurance, no penalty appears to be Obamacare's new meme as The Wall Street Journal reports *almost 90% of the nation's 30 million uninsured won't pay a penalty in 2016* because of a growing batch of exemptions to the health-coverage requirement. In the interests of socialism, the *Obama administration has provided 14 ways people can avoid the fine (on top of exemptions carved out under the 2010 law* for groups including illegal immigrants, members of Native American tribes and certain religious sects). The list of exemptions runs deep but one exemption for people who "experienced another hardship obtaining health insurance" (requiring documentation if possible but not requiring it) has been notably criticized as too broad. The *exemptions are worrying insurers*, as they could make it easier for younger, healthier people to forgo coverage, leaving the pools overly filled with old people or those with health problems. That, in turn, could *cause premiums to rise*.

 

 

As The Wall Street Journal reports,



*Almost 90% of the nation's 30 million uninsured won't pay a penalty under the Affordable Care Act* in 2016 because of a growing batch of exemptions to the health-coverage requirement.

 

...

 

*The Obama administration has provided 14 ways people can avoid the fine* based on hardships, including suffering domestic violence, experiencing substantial property damage from a fire or flood, and having a canceled insurance plan.

 

Those come *on top of exemptions carved out under the 2010 law* for groups including illegal immigrants, members of Native American tribes and certain religious sects.

 

*Critics have assailed one exemption for people who "experienced another hardship obtaining health insurance" as too broad. That exemption asks for documentation if possible but doesn't require it.*

 

...

 

Factoring in the new exemptions, the congressional report in June lowered the number of people it expects to pay the fine in 2016 to four million, from its previous projection of six million.



The exemptions are worrying insurers.



The penalties were intended as a cudgel to increase the number of people signing up, thereby maximizing the pool of insured. *Insurers are concerned that the exemptions could make it easier for younger, healthier people to forgo coverage, leaving the pools overly filled with old people or those with health problems. That, in turn, could cause premiums to rise.*

 

Patrick Getzen, vice president and chief actuary at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, said he *saw more "older and sicker people" enrolled in 2014 than projected*. He attributed some of that to the weakened mandate.

 

*"With a stronger penalty and less broad exemptions, that would be better for the risk pool."*



The White House response to all this...



*"The Affordable Care Act requires people who can afford insurance to buy it, so that their medical bills are not passed onto the rest of us, which drives up health care costs for everyone."*



*  *  *
So, shut up and pay... Reported by Zero Hedge 59 minutes ago.

Colorado health insurance premiums could see slight rise, study says

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Colorado could see an average health insurance premium increase of 3.6 percent next year for plans under the Affordable Care Act, a preliminary analysis of 2015 individual market rate filings Reported by Denver Post 37 minutes ago.

Democrats Distance Themselves from Obamacare Architect Jonathan Gruber

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Democrats Distance Themselves from Obamacare Architect Jonathan Gruber Since July 22, when a federal appeals court panel dealt a potentially significant blow to Obamacare by ruling that participants in healthcare exchanges administered by the federal government in 34 states are not eligible for billions of dollars in tax subsidies, several facts have emerged which question Jonathan Gruber, an MIT economist and chief architect of Obamacare, and his opinions on whether the intent of Obamacare was that subsidies should only be available for state-run Obamacare exchanges. 

In response to the dismantling of Gruber’s position, the White House and Democrats are distancing themselves from him. Specifically, Democrats argue that Gruber was not a member of Congress and there is no evidence that anyone in Congress relied on him or his analysis. I think there is significant evidence to the contrary.

Three important background details:

1. As described on the CBO web site – “Since its founding in 1974, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has produced independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the Congressional budget process. The agency is strictly nonpartisan and conducts objective, impartial analysis, which is evident in each of the dozens of reports and hundreds of cost estimates that its economists and policy analysts produce each year.”

2. Senator Max Baucus Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said from the Senate floor on December 9, 2009, “[Gruber] takes the CBO data and, in some respects, he has helped CBO by giving some information to CBO that it otherwise does not have.”

3. And, as Jane Hamsher wrote in an article published on the Huffington Post titled "How the White House Used Jonathan Gruber’s Work to Orchestrate the Appearance of Broad Consensus,"“In December 28, Gruber published an op-ed in the Washington Post — in which he neglected to mention his contract to consult with the White House on this very issue. He was asked point-blank if he had any contracts related to the piece for which he was being paid, and he said ‘no.’  The Post subsequently published a correction.”

Therefore, we have the CBO using information that “it otherwise does not have” from a guy, who some if not most people did not know was a consultant to the White House on this exact issue, to develop independent analyses for Congress. Below are the eight key facts that prove that Gruber’s analysis was marketed as expert, independent analysis that Congress should and did rely on.

1. *HHS argued that Gruber was the only consultant that had the expertise it needed* – HHS announced on February 25, 2009, it “intends to negotiate with Jonathan Gruber, Ph.D. on a sole sources basis for technical assistance in evaluating options for national healthcare reform. The basis for restricting competition is the authority 13.106-1(b) because only one source is reasonably available to satisfy agency requirements.”

2. *Senior Democratic Members of Congress gave Professor Gruber high praise for his “independent analysis”*

· *Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,* said from the Senate floor on December 9, 2009: “The Congressional Budget Office and Professor Gruber are both credible and unbiased sources that are not bought and sold by the insurance industry. The Congressional Budget Office and MIT's Gruber have confirmed what many of us have known: that the bill before us will lower premiums and provide a great many options for more comprehensive coverage. That is very important.”
· *Current Secretary of State and then-Senator John Kerry* said, “Having spent years working to make health care work for Americans, Jonathan Gruber has now provided another service: walking everyone through the benefits of the Affordable Care Act reforms so consumers are armed with accessible information.”
· *Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid* said from the Senate floor on December 1, 2009, “Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Jonathan Gruber, who is one of the most respected economists in the world, said in today’s Washington Post: ‘Here’s a bill that reduces the deficit, covers 30 million people and has the promise of lowering premiums in the long run.’ Pretty good statement. That means millions of Americans who today cannot afford coverage or whose medical bills drive them to financial ruin.”
· *Then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi* praised Gruber – As Jane Hamsher wrote in her article published on the Huffington Post, “Nancy Pelosi touted ‘the Gruber analysis’ on the Speaker’s website.”
· *The United States Senate Finance Committee* issued a press release touting Gruber’s “independent analysis” on December 10, 2009 that stated: “Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Jon Gruber estimates that wages will go up by $234 billion over the next ten years as a result of this policy. He estimates that on the whole, Americans will see a one-year wage increase of $55 billion by 2019. That amounts to almost $700 in increased wages per insured household. Gruber adds, '[T]he conclusion that lower employer insurance spending will lead to higher wages is not mere speculation: it is strongly supported by both economic theory and evidence.'"

1. *The White House praised and widely marketed Gruber’s Analysis*

· *The White House Budget Director Peter Orszag *relied on Gruber – According to a Wall Street Journal article published on January 14, 2010, “White House budget director Peter Orszag has also relied on a letter from Mr. Gruber and other economists endorsing the Senate bill.”
· On October 15, 2009, *the White House* promoted Gruber and his data's promised insurance savings on Whitehouse.gov, writing, “MIT Economics professor Jon Gruber recently conducted analyses based on the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office model to show that the bill will deliver savings for people purchasing health care in the nongroup insurance market, ranging from several hundred dollars for the youngest consumers to over $8500 for families.”
· *Executive Office of the President Council of Economic Advisers* issued a report on December 14, 2009 with numerous references to Gruber, including the statement, “Recent estimates by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber and by the CBO suggest that this health insurance exchange would lead to health insurance coverage that is both more secure and comprehensive, and has lower administrative costs and premiums than comparable coverage under current law.”
· *The White House* Posted Gruber’s reports on Whitehouse.gov – For example, Whitehouse.gov posted Professor Gruber’s November 27, 2009 report titled "The Senate Bill Lowers Non-Group Premiums: Updated for New CBO Estimates."
· *The White House *dedicated a web page to Gruber’s analysis – On November 4, 2009, Whitehouse.gov dedicated almost an entire page including links to Gruber articles, reports, etc.  Gruber’s word was characterized as “objective analysis.”
· *The White House *used Gruber to refute a governor's concerns about Obamacare – In response to concerns raised by the Governor of Tennessee, Stephanie Cutter posted on Whitehouse.gov, “Jonathan Gruber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analyzed the Governor’s arguments and declared: ‘The Affordable Care Act will not lead to widespread erosion of employer-sponsored insurance. Rather, it will provide the necessary protection for those who are suffering from the erosion that is already taking place.’”

· *Then-current HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius* released a report on December 3, 2009 that “highlighted the benefits of health insurance reform for businesses and released a new fact sheet regarding a recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.” The report included 16 footnotes highlighting sources for the report. The CBO was listed once and Professor Gruber was listed three times. No other individual was listed.

· *Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Office for Health Reform,* wrote on November 29, 2009 on Whitehouse.gov: “Jonathan Gruber, PhD, a MIT Economist who has been closely following the health insurance reform process, issued a compelling new report based on data from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.” DeParle characterized this document as a ”compelling report” based on data from the “non-partisan” CBO.
· *The White House and Democratic Party* widely distributed Gruber’s reports – As the Huffington Post article by Jane Hamsher highlights, “On Monday the 23rd, the DNC was sending the Brownstein column around in its entirety… one of 71 emails they would send touting Gruber’s work and it was included in OFA’s Monday Morning News Clips on BarackObama.com.”

· *Congress used Gruber’s computer models* – Senator Baucus said in his December 9, 2009 speech on the Senate floor: “In addition to CBO, MIT's Jon Gruber has also done a study on premiums. And what does he conclude? He concludes, using Congressional Budget Office data, the Senate bill could mean people purchasing individual insurance would save every year $200 for single coverage and $500 for family coverage in 2009 dollars. Most people think he is one of the best outside experts. He has big computer models.”
· *Gruber argued that he was integral to Congress and Obamacare*

· Gruber, in a March 11, 2010 video clip, said, “I helped write the federal bill,” and “I was a paid consultant to the Obama administration and helped develop the technical details of the bill.”
· Gruber, on another video clip on June 13, 2102, said, “So I went down shortly after the election. I worked with the transition team to help put the numbers together for the administration. And then, essentially, most of 2009 I was really on loan from the administration to Congress, particularly the Senate Finance Committee, to help them put the numbers together on what became the finance committee bill, which really became Obamacare. Yeah, that's what I did.”

As every day passes, more information surfaces making it abundantly clear that the intent of Obamacare was to create strong incentives for governors to set up exchanges in their own states. Gruber is very clear about this, and Congress relied on Gruber. When this strategy failed, the White House and HHS tried to change their position. Unfortunately for them, too much public information exists showing their original intent. If federal exchange subsidies are prohibited, Obamacare is over. Ending Obamacare is the step we need for Oblimination – the reversal of Obama’s failed policies. Reported by Breitbart 1 day ago.

CBO Confirms Obamacare's Individual Mandate is a Paper Tiger

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Broad exemptions to Obamacare's individual mandate, including one added secretly last year, make the mandate a paper tiger. In June the CBO confirmed this by raising its estimate of the number of people who could claim an exemption and sharply dropping its estimate of the number of people who will pay a penalty.

The Wall Street Journal reports, "almost 90% of the nation's 30 million uninsured won't pay a penalty under the Affordable Care Act in 2016." In 2012 CBO said 18 million could qualify for exemptions. This year CBO said that number was 23 million. As for those who will wind up paying a penalty for non-compliance, CBO originally estimated 6 million people would pay. This year they dropped that estimate to 4 million people.

The individual mandate has long been viewed by supporters of the law as one key to making the math work out. It requires younger, healthier people who often go without insurance to buy a plan at an artificially high price. Because those people won't utilize the services they pay for as often, they help subsidize the cost of insuring older, sicker individuals. Without the mandate in place, Obamacare could face a death spiral of increasing rates and fewer people signing up.

Initially there were 12 exemptions to the mandate, most of which were fairly targeted. But last December HHS added two more exemptions. One of those, an exemption for people whose insurance had been cancelled as a result of new Obamacare regulations, was highly publicized at the time.

The other exemption, number 14, was almost completely overlooked, in part because the administration kept it hidden from public view. As I documented in March of this year, exemption #14 was intentionally left off the public healthcare.gov web page listing such exemptions for three months. It finally was added one day after it was highlighted in a story at the Wall Street Journal.

There's little reason to doubt why it was omitted. Exemption 14 is a catch-all so broad that even some of the law's supporters admit it could apply to anyone. It grants an exemption to those who "experienced another hardship in obtaining health insurance." Not only is this language incredibly vague, it also requires no documentation to back it up. One simply checks a box on the appropriate form and writes a brief description of the hardship.

Former head of the CBO Douglas Holtz-Eakin summed it up this way in a statement to the Wall Street Journal, "If your pajamas don't fit well, you don't need health insurance." It's doubtful anyone will actually try to claim a pajama exemption from the individual mandate, but if they did it's not clear HHS would be able to deny their claim. Reported by Breitbart 22 hours ago.

Insurance Rates for New Drivers Now Updated With 2014 Prices at Top Quotes Website

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Insurance rates for new drivers in the U.S. are now available for 2014 using the platform for research at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html. The Quotes Pros company is featuring these rates.

Evansville, IN (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

Locating prices for this year in the insurance industry will be easier for consumers who use the Quotes Pros website. Insurance rates for new drivers have been added to the constructed quotation system that is meant for use by car owners at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The driver policies that are now available are presented by insurers in the U.S. to help display markdowns and decreases in annual policy prices. The new drivers who use the search tool to locate the available prices are presented with rates based on their individual U.S. states.

"The platform that we use requires a zip code to make sure that prices are available in certain parts of the country for motorists this year," said a Quotes Pros source.

The driver accessible database that is now helping to distribute prices this year includes policies that are centered around state minimum insurance requirements. Because all states have different coverage minimums, the zip codes used will help determine the coverage plans that a person has available from insurers.

"The 2014 rates database that we're presenting to the public is based on broker data and actual agency prices that are calculated upon entry to the system," the source added.

The Quotes Pros company has changed the access requirements to its system this year to help provide more solutions for obtaining coverage prices. The privacy added to the system makes it an easier process to discover health insurance and life insurance without supplying medical information at http://quotespros.com/life-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company supplies insurer rates to drivers in the United States who enter the database provided on the company website. The rates packages that the company provides access to can help save time and money for the average person. The QuotesPros.com company supplies data through its digital system to make sure that consumers find policies that are right for auto, life, health and homeowner plans in the U.S. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.

Car Insurance Quote Tool Updated with Local Agency Rates at Insurer Based Website

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The car insurance quote database setup by the Quotes Pros company is now updated with agency rates at the local level at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

Agencies that underwrite insurance in the U.S. can now be searched by any consumer who uses the Quotes Pros website. A new car insurance quote tool has been activated for use by the public to find local agency rates from companies at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The agencies that can be searched using the company website are located in the U.S. and are providing price information to help drivers select a coverage option. The quotation database that has been activated can be searched from a smartphone, tablet or regular computer with an Internet connection.

"The local agency quotation system that we're introducing this year is helping a motorist to connect with companies locally that could be offering affordable policies," said a Quotes Pros rep.

The insurer system is built to use zip codes as the main format for sorting companies this year. Phone systems that are used by some agencies still require consumers to give out VIN numbers, license plate numbers and other data that could be considered sensitive. The open finder relies only on a city location to produce rates.

"Agencies that are found inside of our search tool provide a base rate for coverage to make it easier and faster for a car owner to discover exact pricing for liability, full coverage or collector plans," said the rep.

The Quotes Pros company is adjusting the frequency of updates to its platform to promote more than one type of price discount from companies. The insurer system is now producing automotive, life, health, renters and homeowner plans that are fully explorable at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company uses its local database in the U.S. to help the public find auto, life, health or homeowner insurance prices on the Internet. The company has built its system to sort through broker and agent prices by zip code. The QuotesPros.com company is now positioned to continue offering policy information to the public due to its open partnerships with insurers that appear in the company database this year. Reported by PRWeb 22 hours ago.

Best Car Insurance for Elderly Drivers Now Priced at Top Insurer Portal Online

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Best car insurance prices for elderly drivers is now added to the location system at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html online. The Quotes Pros company is providing these prices.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

There are now more older drivers who are on American roadways in this decade compared to previous years, according to recent insurance studies. The Quotes Pros company specializes in distribution of coverage rates to the public and has updated its system to reveal the best car insurance for elderly drivers at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The streamlined rates review process that is now available can help an older motor vehicle owner to review rates that could be discounted from regular local rates published by agencies. The system available for access does not use vehicle identification numbers or other data to provide a base rate review.

"Privacy is granted for senior drivers who use our system and all rates can be compared by a zip code format that helps to calculate policy prices," said a Quotes Pros source.

One new benefit that drivers who access the QuotesPros.com website immediately receive is the option to quote more than one coverage plan. This change is helping more people to save time during the long process of comparing insurance agencies. The zip code system brings up a list of companies that are now competing for different policy prices.

"A search of our system can distribute a price for liability, full coverage, non owner, broad form, collector and customized insurer packages easily," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company has included more types of consumer policies inside of its database in 2014 and is now presenting other rates for seniors. The life, health and homeowner policies that exist are currently quoted at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company is one national company that is setup to provide the American public with a defined solution for reviewing insurance prices on the Internet. Several databases that are linked with companies can be accessed visiting the QuotesPros.com homepage daily. The company allows private research for different policy types without a charge to consumers. Plans for life, auto, renters, health and homeowners can be accessed. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

Classic Car Insurance Quotes Added to State Locator for Motorists Online

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Classic car insurance quotes can now be found by state using the locator built at the Quotes Pros website. This system is now active for users at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

Vintage motor vehicles can require more insurance coverage apart from what is provided inside of a normal policy in the U.S. The Quotes Pros company has streamlined its initiatives this year to build a classic car insurance quotes system that is now activated for public use at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

A state-by-state locator is now available for any car owner with a classic vehicle to find adequate coverage from top insurers. The locator service uses a planned zip code search tool that seeks out the average rates that owners of cars pay in different counties. The system offers access to national companies that are competing for consumer policies.

"The quotes that are being delivered using the system that we've developed are accurate and are meant for information purposes to help the public," said a Quotes Pros rep.

The entire quotation system that is now available in the U.S. uses car owner zip codes to provide the rates data that is necessary to compare costs nationally. A person who does not need collector or classic motor vehicle insurance can still find a basic policy that can be purchased easily.

"Instead of providing only insurer prices, our system connects consumers with companies that are able to lock in the published rates for motorists," said the rep.

The Quotes Pros company works consistently to update all of the content that consumers access inside of its national database this year. The insurer quotation tool is not limited to only automobile insurance quotes online. Rates for life, health and renters plans can be viewed at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company built a portal for consumers to use when researching insurer prices on the Internet in 2013. The portal is now used by thousands of people monthly when looking up rates packages from statewide or national insurers. The QuotesPros.com company has dedicated its platform to providing direct assistance to the public through its finder solutions and will continue offering ways to sort and review pricing this year. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.

Nope, Government Health Insurance Isn't Costlier Due To The Deadweight Loss Of Taxation

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Nope, Government Health Insurance Isn't Costlier Due To The Deadweight Loss Of Taxation Reported by ajc.com 18 hours ago.

Poll: Are you happy with your health insurance?

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Vote yes or no

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Reported by Delawareonline 16 hours ago.
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