Health insurance giant Cigna (CI), beating profit forecasts for the third quarter, raised its earnings forecast for the rest of the year and said it will double revenues in the next seven to eight years on growth driven in part by the shift away from fee-for-service medicine to “value-based” care. Cigna [...]
Reported by Forbes.com 4 hours ago.
Cigna Says Revenue Will Double As Fee-For-Service Medicine Goes Away
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B.S. Alert: Health Insurance Robber Barons Spend $56 Million Vs Prop 45's Rate Regulation In California Without A Single Public Comment
Four health insurance companies are spending $56 million to defeat California Proposition 45, a ballot measure to be decided Tuesday, which I wrote, that bans excessive insurance rate hikes. The insurance companies have unleashed a torrent of deceptive advertising but have remarkably refused to issue a single comment to the news media on Prop 45, including in today's New York Times.
Like the railroad robber barons of old, the health insurance company CEOs control their business in California from back rooms with an iron fist that keeps competition away. The four companies control 84% of the market and, not surprisingly, health insurance rates in California have climbed five times faster than inflation over the last decade. Even when a California state regulator finds a rate unreasonable, as California's insurance commissioner did last week, it has no power to reject it.
We all have to buy health insurance in California, but, unlike in 35 other states, no regulator can stop the rates the insurance barons choose to charge until Prop 45 passes.
The dirty secret of the insurance companies opposed to Prop 45 is that they are funding the opposition. The companies never comment in the news and don't acknowledge their opposition in their advertisements, but instead send phony lab coats, scrubs and policy analysts to cover up the insurance companies' 100% funding of the opposition. The health insurance company executives have, in short, been missing for the last many months.
Except Thursday night. The CEOs reared their heads briefly, in the shadow of the World Series, to fete Kaiser former's CEO George Halverson on Nob Hill at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel. Kaiser has contributed $18.7 million against Proposition 45, backed by the California Nurses Association, whose member confronted Halverson in front of the hotel.
A group of California nurses picked the driveway of the Fairmont while Kaiser Chief Halverson's guests arrived Thursday night. "Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Halverson's Premium Theft Has Got To Go!"
.Nob Hill is where the railroad robber barons made their home at the turn of the twentieth century. The railroad barons' corrupt practices and hold over the statehouse were the impetus for Governor Hiram Johnson giving Californians the gift of the direct democracy of the ballot initiative process. This is the very process that brought Proposition 45's rate regulation to the voters after an insurance-controlled legislature failed in the legislature for more than a decade because of the insurance barons' grip.
The $56 million campaign against Prop 45 is all lies --- outrageous claims that government will play doctor with your health insurance and that a independent commission already exists to stop unreasonable rate hikes when it doesn't. Meanwhile the insurance companies stay mum on the record. Their $56 million in advertising flows to television and radio stations that don't demand their comment.
That's why the group of price-gouged policyholders, nurses and consumer advocates descended on the Fairmont Monday night with a truck load of steer manure to give back to the CEOs feting Kaiser's chief what they have been shoveling to Californians in their advertising.
The $750 per plate gala honoring Halverson benefited a group providing cover for the insurance barons' silence, the Bay Area Council, comprised of corporate chieftains, including Kaiser's and Blue Shield's. The Council is one of the groups that comments in the media for the insurance companies that fund it so the robber barons don't have to speak.
The buckets of manure didn't make it past the Fairmont's lobby door, but polls show California voters are catching on to the insurance robber barons' B.S. A Hoover Institute poll this week found Prop 45 has a 12% lead.
The insurance industry advertising against Prop 45 is escalating. But voters are smarter than the insurance companies want to admit. Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.
Like the railroad robber barons of old, the health insurance company CEOs control their business in California from back rooms with an iron fist that keeps competition away. The four companies control 84% of the market and, not surprisingly, health insurance rates in California have climbed five times faster than inflation over the last decade. Even when a California state regulator finds a rate unreasonable, as California's insurance commissioner did last week, it has no power to reject it.
We all have to buy health insurance in California, but, unlike in 35 other states, no regulator can stop the rates the insurance barons choose to charge until Prop 45 passes.
The dirty secret of the insurance companies opposed to Prop 45 is that they are funding the opposition. The companies never comment in the news and don't acknowledge their opposition in their advertisements, but instead send phony lab coats, scrubs and policy analysts to cover up the insurance companies' 100% funding of the opposition. The health insurance company executives have, in short, been missing for the last many months.
Except Thursday night. The CEOs reared their heads briefly, in the shadow of the World Series, to fete Kaiser former's CEO George Halverson on Nob Hill at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel. Kaiser has contributed $18.7 million against Proposition 45, backed by the California Nurses Association, whose member confronted Halverson in front of the hotel.
A group of California nurses picked the driveway of the Fairmont while Kaiser Chief Halverson's guests arrived Thursday night. "Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Halverson's Premium Theft Has Got To Go!"
.Nob Hill is where the railroad robber barons made their home at the turn of the twentieth century. The railroad barons' corrupt practices and hold over the statehouse were the impetus for Governor Hiram Johnson giving Californians the gift of the direct democracy of the ballot initiative process. This is the very process that brought Proposition 45's rate regulation to the voters after an insurance-controlled legislature failed in the legislature for more than a decade because of the insurance barons' grip.
The $56 million campaign against Prop 45 is all lies --- outrageous claims that government will play doctor with your health insurance and that a independent commission already exists to stop unreasonable rate hikes when it doesn't. Meanwhile the insurance companies stay mum on the record. Their $56 million in advertising flows to television and radio stations that don't demand their comment.
That's why the group of price-gouged policyholders, nurses and consumer advocates descended on the Fairmont Monday night with a truck load of steer manure to give back to the CEOs feting Kaiser's chief what they have been shoveling to Californians in their advertising.
The $750 per plate gala honoring Halverson benefited a group providing cover for the insurance barons' silence, the Bay Area Council, comprised of corporate chieftains, including Kaiser's and Blue Shield's. The Council is one of the groups that comments in the media for the insurance companies that fund it so the robber barons don't have to speak.
The buckets of manure didn't make it past the Fairmont's lobby door, but polls show California voters are catching on to the insurance robber barons' B.S. A Hoover Institute poll this week found Prop 45 has a 12% lead.
The insurance industry advertising against Prop 45 is escalating. But voters are smarter than the insurance companies want to admit. Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.
↧
B.S. Alert: Health Insurance Robber Barons Spend $56 Million vs. Prop 45's Rate Regulation in California Without a Single Public Comment
Four health insurance companies are spending $56 million to defeat California Proposition 45, a ballot measure to be decided Tuesday, which I wrote, that bans excessive insurance rate hikes. The insurance companies have unleashed a torrent of deceptive advertising but have remarkably refused to issue a single comment to the news media on Prop 45, including in today's New York Times.
Like the railroad robber barons of old, the health insurance company CEOs control their business in California from back rooms with an iron fist that keeps competition away. The four companies control 84% of the market and, not surprisingly, health insurance rates in California have climbed five times faster than inflation over the last decade. Even when a California state regulator finds a rate unreasonable, as California's insurance commissioner did last week, it has no power to reject it.
We all have to buy health insurance in California, but, unlike in 35 other states, no regulator can stop the rates the insurance barons choose to charge until Prop 45 passes.
The dirty secret of the insurance companies opposed to Prop 45 is that they are funding the opposition. The companies never comment in the news and don't acknowledge their opposition in their advertisements, but instead send phony lab coats, scrubs and policy analysts to cover up the insurance companies' 100% funding of the opposition. The health insurance company executives have, in short, been missing for the last many months.
Except Thursday night. The CEOs reared their heads briefly, in the shadow of the World Series, to fete Kaiser former's CEO George Halverson on Nob Hill at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel. Kaiser has contributed $18.7 million against Proposition 45, backed by the California Nurses Association, whose member confronted Halverson in front of the hotel.
A group of California nurses picked the driveway of the Fairmont while Kaiser Chief Halverson's guests arrived Thursday night. "Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Halverson's Premium Theft Has Got To Go!"
.Nob Hill is where the railroad robber barons made their home at the turn of the twentieth century. The railroad barons' corrupt practices and hold over the statehouse were the impetus for Governor Hiram Johnson giving Californians the gift of the direct democracy of the ballot initiative process. This is the very process that brought Proposition 45's rate regulation to the voters after an insurance-controlled legislature failed in the legislature for more than a decade because of the insurance barons' grip.
The $56 million campaign against Prop 45 is all lies --- outrageous claims that government will play doctor with your health insurance and that a independent commission already exists to stop unreasonable rate hikes when it doesn't. Meanwhile the insurance companies stay mum on the record. Their $56 million in advertising flows to television and radio stations that don't demand their comment.
That's why the group of price-gouged policyholders, nurses and consumer advocates descended on the Fairmont Monday night with a truck load of steer manure to give back to the CEOs feting Kaiser's chief what they have been shoveling to Californians in their advertising.
The $750 per plate gala honoring Halverson benefited a group providing cover for the insurance barons' silence, the Bay Area Council, comprised of corporate chieftains, including Kaiser's and Blue Shield's. The Council is one of the groups that comments in the media for the insurance companies that fund it so the robber barons don't have to speak.
The buckets of manure didn't make it past the Fairmont's lobby door, but polls show California voters are catching on to the insurance robber barons' B.S. A Hoover Institute poll this week found Prop 45 has a 12% lead.
The insurance industry advertising against Prop 45 is escalating. But voters are smarter than the insurance companies want to admit. Reported by Huffington Post 5 hours ago.
Like the railroad robber barons of old, the health insurance company CEOs control their business in California from back rooms with an iron fist that keeps competition away. The four companies control 84% of the market and, not surprisingly, health insurance rates in California have climbed five times faster than inflation over the last decade. Even when a California state regulator finds a rate unreasonable, as California's insurance commissioner did last week, it has no power to reject it.
We all have to buy health insurance in California, but, unlike in 35 other states, no regulator can stop the rates the insurance barons choose to charge until Prop 45 passes.
The dirty secret of the insurance companies opposed to Prop 45 is that they are funding the opposition. The companies never comment in the news and don't acknowledge their opposition in their advertisements, but instead send phony lab coats, scrubs and policy analysts to cover up the insurance companies' 100% funding of the opposition. The health insurance company executives have, in short, been missing for the last many months.
Except Thursday night. The CEOs reared their heads briefly, in the shadow of the World Series, to fete Kaiser former's CEO George Halverson on Nob Hill at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel. Kaiser has contributed $18.7 million against Proposition 45, backed by the California Nurses Association, whose member confronted Halverson in front of the hotel.
A group of California nurses picked the driveway of the Fairmont while Kaiser Chief Halverson's guests arrived Thursday night. "Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Halverson's Premium Theft Has Got To Go!"
.Nob Hill is where the railroad robber barons made their home at the turn of the twentieth century. The railroad barons' corrupt practices and hold over the statehouse were the impetus for Governor Hiram Johnson giving Californians the gift of the direct democracy of the ballot initiative process. This is the very process that brought Proposition 45's rate regulation to the voters after an insurance-controlled legislature failed in the legislature for more than a decade because of the insurance barons' grip.
The $56 million campaign against Prop 45 is all lies --- outrageous claims that government will play doctor with your health insurance and that a independent commission already exists to stop unreasonable rate hikes when it doesn't. Meanwhile the insurance companies stay mum on the record. Their $56 million in advertising flows to television and radio stations that don't demand their comment.
That's why the group of price-gouged policyholders, nurses and consumer advocates descended on the Fairmont Monday night with a truck load of steer manure to give back to the CEOs feting Kaiser's chief what they have been shoveling to Californians in their advertising.
The $750 per plate gala honoring Halverson benefited a group providing cover for the insurance barons' silence, the Bay Area Council, comprised of corporate chieftains, including Kaiser's and Blue Shield's. The Council is one of the groups that comments in the media for the insurance companies that fund it so the robber barons don't have to speak.
The buckets of manure didn't make it past the Fairmont's lobby door, but polls show California voters are catching on to the insurance robber barons' B.S. A Hoover Institute poll this week found Prop 45 has a 12% lead.
The insurance industry advertising against Prop 45 is escalating. But voters are smarter than the insurance companies want to admit. Reported by Huffington Post 5 hours ago.
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Veterinary Technicians Recognized in Nationwide Contest
Pets Best and NAVTA announce results of Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest
Boise, IDAHO (PRWEB) October 30, 2014
Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, a leading U.S. pet insurance agency based in Boise, Idaho, announced today the results of the agency’s first annual Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest. The nationwide contest, developed by Pets Best and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), honors veterinary technicians for their outstanding service and devotion to their profession.
Finalists entered the contest by submitting their own stories highlighting why they decided to become vet techs, why they’re passionate about their profession and what they love most about going to work each day. The contest brought in 6,322 votes cast by pet owners, veterinary staff, community members, friends and family of the eight finalists from across the U.S. through the Pets Best website, http://www.petsbest.com, and the company’s Facebook page.
“Veterinary technicians provide valuable veterinary care for animals across the nation, and the interest this contest generated reflects pet owners’ widespread appreciation for all of their efforts,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best. “Pets Best enjoyed reading the inspiring stories of committed veterinary technicians, and we look forward to hearing many more for years to come.”
Of the 128 contest submissions, eight outstanding entries were chosen by a Pets Best panel of fellow veterinary technicians to represent the industry in this nationwide contest. The eight finalists were all awarded $200 Visa gift cards and a one-year NAVTA membership. The eight finalists were:· Beckie Mossor of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina
· Elizabeth Salan of the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado
· Deanna Goley of Dandy Acres Veterinary Clinic in South Lyon, Michigan
· Paige Sanders of Animal Care West Veterinary Hospital in West Haven, Utah
· Janey Kramlik of Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Delaware
· Laurie Flood of West Hills Animal Hospital in Corvallis, Oregon
· Kim McCrone of Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic in San Tan Valley, Arizona
· Judy Voegel of St. Joe Veterinary Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
“Animals are truly my passion, and I couldn’t think of any other career path that would have been so perfect for me,” said finalist Kim McCrone. “I am honored and thankful for being a part of this contest.”
The winner of the Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest was Beckie Mossor. In addition to the $200 gift card and NAVTA membership awarded to all finalists, Mossor will receive a paid trip to the 2015 North American Veterinary Community Conference in Orlando, Florida.
“Veterinary technicians play a significant role in the health of people’s beloved animals. To make a difference in this industry, they must demonstrate a steadfast dedication to providing the highest quality of care for every pet they treat,” said Julie Legred, certified veterinary technician and NAVTA executive director. “It is highly rewarding to participate in contests such as this one that help raise awareness of the impact veterinary technicians have on the lives of so many people and their pets.”
NAVTA, founded in 1981, serves as a nationwide organization of veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists and veterinarians, in addition to veterinary assistants, educators and students. The organization was created as a resource for veterinary professionals to provide input on national issues related to their field. The organization is also dedicated to promoting veterinary professions and fostering high standards of care.
For more information about the Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest, visit http://www.petsbest.com/blog/vet-tech-contest/.
About Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC
Dr. Jack L. Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first U.S. pet insurance policy to famous television dog Lassie. Pets Best provides coverage for dogs and cats. Dr. Stephens leads the Pets Best team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. He is always available to answer questions regarding veterinary medicine, pet health and pet insurance. The Pets Best team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information.
Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. Additional insurance services administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by Prime Insurance Company. Some existing business is underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products.
Pets Best is a proud member of the North America Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
### Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
Boise, IDAHO (PRWEB) October 30, 2014
Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, a leading U.S. pet insurance agency based in Boise, Idaho, announced today the results of the agency’s first annual Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest. The nationwide contest, developed by Pets Best and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), honors veterinary technicians for their outstanding service and devotion to their profession.
Finalists entered the contest by submitting their own stories highlighting why they decided to become vet techs, why they’re passionate about their profession and what they love most about going to work each day. The contest brought in 6,322 votes cast by pet owners, veterinary staff, community members, friends and family of the eight finalists from across the U.S. through the Pets Best website, http://www.petsbest.com, and the company’s Facebook page.
“Veterinary technicians provide valuable veterinary care for animals across the nation, and the interest this contest generated reflects pet owners’ widespread appreciation for all of their efforts,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best. “Pets Best enjoyed reading the inspiring stories of committed veterinary technicians, and we look forward to hearing many more for years to come.”
Of the 128 contest submissions, eight outstanding entries were chosen by a Pets Best panel of fellow veterinary technicians to represent the industry in this nationwide contest. The eight finalists were all awarded $200 Visa gift cards and a one-year NAVTA membership. The eight finalists were:· Beckie Mossor of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina
· Elizabeth Salan of the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado
· Deanna Goley of Dandy Acres Veterinary Clinic in South Lyon, Michigan
· Paige Sanders of Animal Care West Veterinary Hospital in West Haven, Utah
· Janey Kramlik of Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Delaware
· Laurie Flood of West Hills Animal Hospital in Corvallis, Oregon
· Kim McCrone of Johnson Ranch Animal Clinic in San Tan Valley, Arizona
· Judy Voegel of St. Joe Veterinary Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
“Animals are truly my passion, and I couldn’t think of any other career path that would have been so perfect for me,” said finalist Kim McCrone. “I am honored and thankful for being a part of this contest.”
The winner of the Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest was Beckie Mossor. In addition to the $200 gift card and NAVTA membership awarded to all finalists, Mossor will receive a paid trip to the 2015 North American Veterinary Community Conference in Orlando, Florida.
“Veterinary technicians play a significant role in the health of people’s beloved animals. To make a difference in this industry, they must demonstrate a steadfast dedication to providing the highest quality of care for every pet they treat,” said Julie Legred, certified veterinary technician and NAVTA executive director. “It is highly rewarding to participate in contests such as this one that help raise awareness of the impact veterinary technicians have on the lives of so many people and their pets.”
NAVTA, founded in 1981, serves as a nationwide organization of veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists and veterinarians, in addition to veterinary assistants, educators and students. The organization was created as a resource for veterinary professionals to provide input on national issues related to their field. The organization is also dedicated to promoting veterinary professions and fostering high standards of care.
For more information about the Why I Love Being a Vet Tech contest, visit http://www.petsbest.com/blog/vet-tech-contest/.
About Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC
Dr. Jack L. Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first U.S. pet insurance policy to famous television dog Lassie. Pets Best provides coverage for dogs and cats. Dr. Stephens leads the Pets Best team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. He is always available to answer questions regarding veterinary medicine, pet health and pet insurance. The Pets Best team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information.
Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. Additional insurance services administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by Prime Insurance Company. Some existing business is underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products.
Pets Best is a proud member of the North America Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
### Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan study: Private exchanges lowering employer costs, changing employee enrollment behavior
DETROIT, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to an analysis of GlidePath, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's private health insurance exchange, employers and employees are benefitting from use of the private exchange by empowering employees as informed consumers of health care...
Reported by PR Newswire 4 hours ago.
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Ernst Lies, Gardner Won't Answer Questions, and Other Tales From This Koch-fueled Election
Every election has some strangeness to it, some quirks that make old pols like me shake our heads and say "really?" But this one could be the strangest of all. Just when you think a race is on the verge of being written off, a whole new set of polls comes out to show it is tight as can be -- the Senate races in Georgia, Kentucky, and most recently, Alaska, are all cases in point. Democrats that everyone thought would be safe at the beginning of the cycle, like Martha Coakley in Massachusetts, are in real danger. Heavily Republican states like Kansas and South Dakota have become wildly unpredictable battlegrounds. What has seemed at times like a predictably Republican year has over 20 different Senate and governor races too close to call less than a week from Election Day. Will we find ourselves surprised next Tuesday night? The odds are definitely in favor of pundits being embarrassed.
What is highly predictable is the massive spending by the Koch brothers' front groups and others of their ilk. It seems to have no end. And of course, it is also no surprise that the candidates being helped by them doing their best to pretend there is no connection.
My organization, American Family Voices, supports the work of grassroots journalist Lauren Windsor, and she has been on the road in four battleground states with Koch-fueled Senate candidates, all of whom spoke at the infamous Koch retreat with other billionaires at a California resort last June. Lauren managed to get all of them to answer at least a couple of questions, and the level of evasion and obfuscation was impressive even to me, who has been watching candidates evade and obfuscate for 35 years.
The biggest moment in her tour was when Joni Ernst, the Republican candidate the Kochs picked from absolute obscurity more than a year ago and made into a viable candidate, blatantly lied about having any contact at all with the outside groups, which are mostly funded by the Kochs. In fact, the two groups most closely aligned with the Kochs -- Freedom Partners and Americans for Prosperity -- have already spent over $4.25 million in Iowa, according to OpenSecrets.org. Here's a short video that summarizes just how blatant the Ernst lie was...No contact? Not only was she on a panel at the conference officially co-hosted by Freedom Partners and AFP that talked about the need to raise money for those groups ad campaigns, the audio makes clear that she had attended at least one other Koch conference a year before, when she was a completely unknown state Senator with about 1 percent of the vote in a multi-candidate field. The Kochs picked her to be their candidate, groomed her, funded her, and -- as Ernst herself said -- started her "trajectory." That's an awful lot of "contact," if you ask me.
Then there's Cory Gardner, the Republican Senate candidate in Colorado. When Lauren showed up to ask him specifics about what he would cut out of the federal budget, rather than answering the question, he got paranoid about someone asking him such a direct question, repeatedly asking her, "Who are you with?" And then Gardner just flat out refused to answer the question. Given how strongly he proclaimed he wanted to cut the federal budget, he sure seemed panicky about having to answer questions about those cuts...
In Arkansas, Tom Cotton vehemently claimed he would not cut Social Security or Medicare. Yet he voted for the Ryan budget, which privatizes and slashes the hell out of Medicare. And he enthusiastically embraced the Kochs' agenda while partying with them at that resort in California, an agenda that has for several decades included cutting and privatizing Social Security. As to a question about why he went to the Koch conference at all, Cotton avoided that like the plague...
Finally, in Kentucky, Lauren asked Mitch McConnell about something he promised the Kochs and the other billionaires in California in his speech, which is that he would work to deregulate Wall Street. McConnell, while lying about whether he would support the deregulation he had promised and has supported his entire career, resorted to glib sloganeering: Dodd-Frank is "Obamacare" for banks...
The lies, the evasion, the phobic avoidance -- it would all be pretty entertaining if the stakes weren't so high. But they are, indeed: McConnell promised the Kochs and their billionaire friends that the Senate just wouldn't debate proposals to help low and middle income folks like minimum wage, unemployment comp, and student loans, and that he would help Wall Street, big oil and coal companies, and health insurance companies by attaching riders to budget bills to force deregulation of those industries.
The biggest question of this election is whether the Republicans will win control of the Senate, so that McConnell can work his magic for his billionaire friends. But right behind that in importance is this inextricably linked question: Do the Koch candidates win their incredibly close elections? The biggest investments (as they call them) the Kochs have made are in Senate races in North Carolina, Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Colorado and of course to support their loyal follower McConnell in Kentucky. And they have made winning the governor races in Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Nebraska, Kansas, and Arizona a huge priority as well. And pretty much all of these races are too close to call.
Will the Kochs win this election? Stay tuned. This election will keep us on the edge of our seats right up until the end. Reported by Huffington Post 3 hours ago.
What is highly predictable is the massive spending by the Koch brothers' front groups and others of their ilk. It seems to have no end. And of course, it is also no surprise that the candidates being helped by them doing their best to pretend there is no connection.
My organization, American Family Voices, supports the work of grassroots journalist Lauren Windsor, and she has been on the road in four battleground states with Koch-fueled Senate candidates, all of whom spoke at the infamous Koch retreat with other billionaires at a California resort last June. Lauren managed to get all of them to answer at least a couple of questions, and the level of evasion and obfuscation was impressive even to me, who has been watching candidates evade and obfuscate for 35 years.
The biggest moment in her tour was when Joni Ernst, the Republican candidate the Kochs picked from absolute obscurity more than a year ago and made into a viable candidate, blatantly lied about having any contact at all with the outside groups, which are mostly funded by the Kochs. In fact, the two groups most closely aligned with the Kochs -- Freedom Partners and Americans for Prosperity -- have already spent over $4.25 million in Iowa, according to OpenSecrets.org. Here's a short video that summarizes just how blatant the Ernst lie was...No contact? Not only was she on a panel at the conference officially co-hosted by Freedom Partners and AFP that talked about the need to raise money for those groups ad campaigns, the audio makes clear that she had attended at least one other Koch conference a year before, when she was a completely unknown state Senator with about 1 percent of the vote in a multi-candidate field. The Kochs picked her to be their candidate, groomed her, funded her, and -- as Ernst herself said -- started her "trajectory." That's an awful lot of "contact," if you ask me.
Then there's Cory Gardner, the Republican Senate candidate in Colorado. When Lauren showed up to ask him specifics about what he would cut out of the federal budget, rather than answering the question, he got paranoid about someone asking him such a direct question, repeatedly asking her, "Who are you with?" And then Gardner just flat out refused to answer the question. Given how strongly he proclaimed he wanted to cut the federal budget, he sure seemed panicky about having to answer questions about those cuts...
In Arkansas, Tom Cotton vehemently claimed he would not cut Social Security or Medicare. Yet he voted for the Ryan budget, which privatizes and slashes the hell out of Medicare. And he enthusiastically embraced the Kochs' agenda while partying with them at that resort in California, an agenda that has for several decades included cutting and privatizing Social Security. As to a question about why he went to the Koch conference at all, Cotton avoided that like the plague...
Finally, in Kentucky, Lauren asked Mitch McConnell about something he promised the Kochs and the other billionaires in California in his speech, which is that he would work to deregulate Wall Street. McConnell, while lying about whether he would support the deregulation he had promised and has supported his entire career, resorted to glib sloganeering: Dodd-Frank is "Obamacare" for banks...
The lies, the evasion, the phobic avoidance -- it would all be pretty entertaining if the stakes weren't so high. But they are, indeed: McConnell promised the Kochs and their billionaire friends that the Senate just wouldn't debate proposals to help low and middle income folks like minimum wage, unemployment comp, and student loans, and that he would help Wall Street, big oil and coal companies, and health insurance companies by attaching riders to budget bills to force deregulation of those industries.
The biggest question of this election is whether the Republicans will win control of the Senate, so that McConnell can work his magic for his billionaire friends. But right behind that in importance is this inextricably linked question: Do the Koch candidates win their incredibly close elections? The biggest investments (as they call them) the Kochs have made are in Senate races in North Carolina, Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Colorado and of course to support their loyal follower McConnell in Kentucky. And they have made winning the governor races in Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Nebraska, Kansas, and Arizona a huge priority as well. And pretty much all of these races are too close to call.
Will the Kochs win this election? Stay tuned. This election will keep us on the edge of our seats right up until the end. Reported by Huffington Post 3 hours ago.
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They're All Randians Now
In public opinion, the battle over the Affordable Care Act has come to a stalemate. Depending on how you ask the question, a majority of the public disapproves of the law, but a majority also doesn't agree with Republicans that it should be repealed. On the simple approval question, poll results look just about the same as they did five years ago, which is remarkable given all the fighting over it and everything that has happened, good and bad, in its implementation. But there's something remarkable in this new article in the New England Journal of Medicine that we really need to take notice of, because it represents a significant shift in how some Americans think about health care:
Over the past decade, there has been a cultural shift in Americans' attitudes about the principle of universal health care coverage, one of the main rationales for the ACA. *In 2007, during the presidential primary season, public support for the view that the federal government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health insurance coverage was at 64% (Gallup, 2007). By 2014, this number had declined to 47%* (Pew, January–February 2014). In addition, there has been a decline in overall public trust in the federal government to handle domestic problems such as health care from 51% in 2012 to 40% in 2014, which may also play a role in depressing public support for the ACA (Gallup, September 2014).
One often unrecognized factor that may be contributing to these overall findings is the extraordinary level of paid negative advertising opposing the ACA that has taken place since the law was enacted. *A recent study reported that $445 million had been spent for advertising related to the ACA through the beginning of 2014. Of that amount, 94% was expended on negative ad messages about this national law. Moreover, the large volume of advertisements against the ACA has continued throughout the campaign season, with 37,544 anti-ACA ads between August 1 and September 11, 2014.*
I want to take the second part first. This has been a truly spectacular propaganda campaign, full of lies and fear-mongering, meant to fill Americans with fear and hatred of this law. In fact, unless somebody can correct me, I don't think there's ever been a campaign against a piece of legislation that even approaches this magnitude. I suppose that the fact that in the face of all that the law still retains significant support is something to be thankful for.
But what about the decline in people saying that the government should make sure everyone has health insurance? I wanted to see how this broke down by party, and it turns out that Gallup has asked this question repeatedly, the last time about a year ago:
Prior to Barack Obama's election, the idea that the government shouldn't bother making sure all people have health coverage is something that most Republicans believed. But now it's something that nearly all Republicans believe. There has been a significant movement among independents, but given that there are very few "true" independents, I'm guessing that most of that comes from the Republican-leaning independents.
That monumental propaganda campaign may not have killed the law, but it bought this: the GOP is now, more emphatically than ever, the party of "I got mine, and the rest of you can go to hell." Ayn Rand is smiling. Reported by The American Prospect 3 hours ago.
Over the past decade, there has been a cultural shift in Americans' attitudes about the principle of universal health care coverage, one of the main rationales for the ACA. *In 2007, during the presidential primary season, public support for the view that the federal government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health insurance coverage was at 64% (Gallup, 2007). By 2014, this number had declined to 47%* (Pew, January–February 2014). In addition, there has been a decline in overall public trust in the federal government to handle domestic problems such as health care from 51% in 2012 to 40% in 2014, which may also play a role in depressing public support for the ACA (Gallup, September 2014).
One often unrecognized factor that may be contributing to these overall findings is the extraordinary level of paid negative advertising opposing the ACA that has taken place since the law was enacted. *A recent study reported that $445 million had been spent for advertising related to the ACA through the beginning of 2014. Of that amount, 94% was expended on negative ad messages about this national law. Moreover, the large volume of advertisements against the ACA has continued throughout the campaign season, with 37,544 anti-ACA ads between August 1 and September 11, 2014.*
I want to take the second part first. This has been a truly spectacular propaganda campaign, full of lies and fear-mongering, meant to fill Americans with fear and hatred of this law. In fact, unless somebody can correct me, I don't think there's ever been a campaign against a piece of legislation that even approaches this magnitude. I suppose that the fact that in the face of all that the law still retains significant support is something to be thankful for.
But what about the decline in people saying that the government should make sure everyone has health insurance? I wanted to see how this broke down by party, and it turns out that Gallup has asked this question repeatedly, the last time about a year ago:
Prior to Barack Obama's election, the idea that the government shouldn't bother making sure all people have health coverage is something that most Republicans believed. But now it's something that nearly all Republicans believe. There has been a significant movement among independents, but given that there are very few "true" independents, I'm guessing that most of that comes from the Republican-leaning independents.
That monumental propaganda campaign may not have killed the law, but it bought this: the GOP is now, more emphatically than ever, the party of "I got mine, and the rest of you can go to hell." Ayn Rand is smiling. Reported by The American Prospect 3 hours ago.
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A.M. Best Comments on Ratings of Philadelphia Financial Group, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries Following Acquisition Announcement
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A.M. Best has commented that the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb-” of Philadelphia Financial Group, Inc. (PFG), as well as the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the ICRs of “a-” of the two domestic life/health insurance subsidiaries of PFG: Philadelphia Financial Life Assurance Company and Philadelphia Financial Life Assurance Company of New York, are unchanged following the announcement that Tiptree Financial Inc. [NASDAQ:TIPT] has entered into
Reported by Business Wire 2 hours ago.
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Midterm Elections
In many ways, we already know the results of the midterm elections: The country continues to tilt toward right of center. This is evident because, even if the Democrats are somehow able to hold on to a thin majority in the Senate, they will do so only because of the election of red-state Democrats who support many of the same policies that Republicans do. Thus Michelle Nunn, a Georgia Democrat running for the Senate, refused to support Obamacare. Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) opposes the meager gun control measures advocated by President Obama following the 2013 Sandy Hook school shooting. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) favors the Keystone XL pipeline. They all are running away from Obama and most anything he stands for.
My friends on the left keep grabbing at straws in the wind, hoping against hope that the mood of the country is turning their way. First, they were delighted to see that Occupy Wall Street gain a great deal of attention, and assumed that it had put inequality "on the agenda" of the nation. Actually, OWS swayed few American voters, and its half-life was even shorter than that of the Arab Spring, another romance of the street. The left got its second wind when French Economist Thomas Piketty was all the rage. The fact that his heavy book (Capital in the Twenty-First Century) topped the New York Times best-seller list -- and was the talk of the town -- gave the left a new hope that finally the masses are beginning to see what the nation's true problems are and what must be done: tax capital, distribute the wealth. The left paid little mind to the fact that few of the people who purchased the book actually read it, and that even Mr. Piketty himself admitted up front that his agenda has no political leg to stand on. You will not find a Democrat running for election in a red state who refers to inequality as much of an issue. But it is this kind of Democrat that, at best, will have the swing vote in after the midterm election.
I am not arguing it will make no difference whether or not the Democrats hold on to the majority of the Senate. If the Democrats lose the majority, one must expect the Republicans -- led by Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Darrell Issa, will launch one investigation after another into what the President has and has not been doing. And the GOP will block most, if not all, Democratic initiatives; find ways to greatly crimp whatever the president will try to do by the use of executive order; and may be able to further load the Supreme Court with a justice closer to their liking than if the Democrats hold on.
All this is not lost on those who are testing the ground for 2016. The media report that Hillary Clinton is disappointing the left because she is testing themes that are centrist. Note that this testing is taking place before the primaries are out of the way -- the period in which Democratic candidates usually curtsy to the left. The fact is that the country is tilting to the right, not necessarily to the extremes, but somewhere between conservative Republicans and tea partiers.
This will not change until the left stops pushing its favorite agendas -- such as redistribution of wealth, equal pay for women, carbon tax, and universal health care and instead focuses on the number one issue that is on the mind of most Americans: their stagnant incomes, even if they have a job. All these other issues are worthy ones, but they are only high on the list of concerns of one group or another. However, most Americans have seen their real wages remain essentially flat for decades. Moreover, a factor that has gained much less attention, they feel economically ever less secure. Corporations, cities, and states have been canceling or diluting Americans' pensions; no one can plan to retire anymore and assume that whatever they expected to get will be there once they hit Florida. Even those who have a well-paying job are not sure they will still have it next month. And although they can now get health insurance more readily, they realize that there is no cap on how much they may have to pay for it. (Global threats such as ISIS and the Ebola epidemic in West Africa only increase this sense of insecurity.)
Democrats have come up with various specific suggestions that they say is sure to "grow the middle class" -- such as investment in infrastructure and education. However, as long as none of the Democratic candidates for election evokes a vision that is encompassing as the malaise, the election results will be as expected: continuation of the tilt to the right. That is, this election will not provide a mandate for the massive changes in public policy that are needed. Indeed, not one is even asking for such a mandate.
Amitai Etzioni is a University Professor at the George Washington University. His most recent book is The New Normal: Finding a Balance between Individual Rights and the Common Good (Transaction 2014). Reported by Huffington Post 20 minutes ago.
My friends on the left keep grabbing at straws in the wind, hoping against hope that the mood of the country is turning their way. First, they were delighted to see that Occupy Wall Street gain a great deal of attention, and assumed that it had put inequality "on the agenda" of the nation. Actually, OWS swayed few American voters, and its half-life was even shorter than that of the Arab Spring, another romance of the street. The left got its second wind when French Economist Thomas Piketty was all the rage. The fact that his heavy book (Capital in the Twenty-First Century) topped the New York Times best-seller list -- and was the talk of the town -- gave the left a new hope that finally the masses are beginning to see what the nation's true problems are and what must be done: tax capital, distribute the wealth. The left paid little mind to the fact that few of the people who purchased the book actually read it, and that even Mr. Piketty himself admitted up front that his agenda has no political leg to stand on. You will not find a Democrat running for election in a red state who refers to inequality as much of an issue. But it is this kind of Democrat that, at best, will have the swing vote in after the midterm election.
I am not arguing it will make no difference whether or not the Democrats hold on to the majority of the Senate. If the Democrats lose the majority, one must expect the Republicans -- led by Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Darrell Issa, will launch one investigation after another into what the President has and has not been doing. And the GOP will block most, if not all, Democratic initiatives; find ways to greatly crimp whatever the president will try to do by the use of executive order; and may be able to further load the Supreme Court with a justice closer to their liking than if the Democrats hold on.
All this is not lost on those who are testing the ground for 2016. The media report that Hillary Clinton is disappointing the left because she is testing themes that are centrist. Note that this testing is taking place before the primaries are out of the way -- the period in which Democratic candidates usually curtsy to the left. The fact is that the country is tilting to the right, not necessarily to the extremes, but somewhere between conservative Republicans and tea partiers.
This will not change until the left stops pushing its favorite agendas -- such as redistribution of wealth, equal pay for women, carbon tax, and universal health care and instead focuses on the number one issue that is on the mind of most Americans: their stagnant incomes, even if they have a job. All these other issues are worthy ones, but they are only high on the list of concerns of one group or another. However, most Americans have seen their real wages remain essentially flat for decades. Moreover, a factor that has gained much less attention, they feel economically ever less secure. Corporations, cities, and states have been canceling or diluting Americans' pensions; no one can plan to retire anymore and assume that whatever they expected to get will be there once they hit Florida. Even those who have a well-paying job are not sure they will still have it next month. And although they can now get health insurance more readily, they realize that there is no cap on how much they may have to pay for it. (Global threats such as ISIS and the Ebola epidemic in West Africa only increase this sense of insecurity.)
Democrats have come up with various specific suggestions that they say is sure to "grow the middle class" -- such as investment in infrastructure and education. However, as long as none of the Democratic candidates for election evokes a vision that is encompassing as the malaise, the election results will be as expected: continuation of the tilt to the right. That is, this election will not provide a mandate for the massive changes in public policy that are needed. Indeed, not one is even asking for such a mandate.
Amitai Etzioni is a University Professor at the George Washington University. His most recent book is The New Normal: Finding a Balance between Individual Rights and the Common Good (Transaction 2014). Reported by Huffington Post 20 minutes ago.
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Yes On 45 Supporters Deliver Steer Manure to Health Insurance CEOs at Nob Hill Gala to Return Some of the BS Companies Are Dishing Out to Voters on Prop 45, Says Consumer Watchdog
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog, the California Nurses Association and supporters of Yes on Proposition 45 delivered a truckload of steer manure to health insurance industry executives who gathered at the Fairmont Hotel yesterday to fete former...
Reported by PR Newswire 19 minutes ago.
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Medicare Reform: Scrap the SGR and Use Markets to Control Costs
Competition for the biggest waste of time in Washington is fierce, but certainly the annual "doc fix" exercise deserves to be in the running.
Medicare's Sustainable Growth Rate was created in an attempt to control Medicare's costs by tying the program's reimbursement rates to economic growth as measured by GDP. Such cuts were always a stretch--after all, doctors and hospitals need to receive competitive payments if they are going to continue to serve the Medicare population--but if implemented today, SGR cuts would be devastating to the medical community and the Medicare population.
That's why each year Congress has a "doc fix" vote to suspend the upcoming rate cuts.
Yet just because these cuts are always put off doesn't mean they don't do plenty of harm: The whole "doc fix" process creates uncertainty for doctors, patients, and taxpayers, and it's become a political football ripe for abuse. The doc fix vote enables doctors' groups and other medical associations to shake down their members for political cash, and it wastes time and resources in our political system that would be better spent elsewhere.
The SGR also masks the true cost of government health programs like Medicare. With SGR technically on the books, budgetary score outfits like the Congressional Budget Office have to report on Medicare's future costs as if SGR were going to be implemented. These scores make Medicare look less costly and more financially stable than it actually is.
Instead of passing an annual "doc fix," we should finally fix Medicare's reimbursement system for good.
Of course, the Medicare program desperately needs cost control. More than 50 million seniors already depend on Medicare, and a coming wave of Baby Boomers will add to enrollment significantly. The average senior takes out $3 in benefits for each dollar he paid in. Unsurprisingly, this means Medicare today faces a 75-year unfunded liability of more than $30 trillion.
So how should we reform Medicare's payment structure?
In the short term, Congress should vote to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula. If we aren't going to follow it, what's the point of having it on the books? Suspending the SGR permanently would be better than the current practice of suspending it annually.
Repealing the SGR would have several immediate benefits: For one, it would allow budget scoring agencies to more clearly depict Medicare's rising costs, and should inspire lawmakers to reform the program entirely. Repealing the SGR would also remove the annual invitation to waste time and money on the "doc fix" vote.
A long-term solution to the problem of physician reimbursement entails broader reforms to the Medicare program. Ultimately, rather than relying on government projections and formulas, Congress should give Medicare patients more control over their health insurance and allow doctors to work with private insurers to treat these patients. Medicare should be reformed into a "premium support" program, in which seniors receive funds from the government and are free to find and buy a private health insurance plan of their choice.
This would put these patients on equal footing with other (younger) patients who have private insurance, and would leave reimbursement rates between physicians and those insurers, getting government out of the business of setting rates. Lawmakers could even use permanent SGR repeal as a bargaining chip to advance these reforms.
Medicare patients would ultimately be more satisfied with private insurance plans. Private insurers would have to compete for Medicare beneficiaries who would have a choice about where to spend their dollars. Not only would they compete on price, but on the quality of insurance (what's covered, size of provider network, etc.)
And premium-support reforms would benefit taxpayers too. Premium support funding would encourage individual Medicare patients to efficiently use their health care dollars, and encourage insurers to deliver real value to this important group of consumers. Taxpayers would better be able to anticipate the programs' costs and be assured that funds were being targeted wisely, since those with greater financial needs would be given a greater share of government support.
That's the kind of "fix" that would benefit us all--doctors, patients, and taxpayers--and would mercifully eliminate one of Washington's most pointless and counterproductive annual political traditions. Reported by Huffington Post 20 minutes ago.
Medicare's Sustainable Growth Rate was created in an attempt to control Medicare's costs by tying the program's reimbursement rates to economic growth as measured by GDP. Such cuts were always a stretch--after all, doctors and hospitals need to receive competitive payments if they are going to continue to serve the Medicare population--but if implemented today, SGR cuts would be devastating to the medical community and the Medicare population.
That's why each year Congress has a "doc fix" vote to suspend the upcoming rate cuts.
Yet just because these cuts are always put off doesn't mean they don't do plenty of harm: The whole "doc fix" process creates uncertainty for doctors, patients, and taxpayers, and it's become a political football ripe for abuse. The doc fix vote enables doctors' groups and other medical associations to shake down their members for political cash, and it wastes time and resources in our political system that would be better spent elsewhere.
The SGR also masks the true cost of government health programs like Medicare. With SGR technically on the books, budgetary score outfits like the Congressional Budget Office have to report on Medicare's future costs as if SGR were going to be implemented. These scores make Medicare look less costly and more financially stable than it actually is.
Instead of passing an annual "doc fix," we should finally fix Medicare's reimbursement system for good.
Of course, the Medicare program desperately needs cost control. More than 50 million seniors already depend on Medicare, and a coming wave of Baby Boomers will add to enrollment significantly. The average senior takes out $3 in benefits for each dollar he paid in. Unsurprisingly, this means Medicare today faces a 75-year unfunded liability of more than $30 trillion.
So how should we reform Medicare's payment structure?
In the short term, Congress should vote to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula. If we aren't going to follow it, what's the point of having it on the books? Suspending the SGR permanently would be better than the current practice of suspending it annually.
Repealing the SGR would have several immediate benefits: For one, it would allow budget scoring agencies to more clearly depict Medicare's rising costs, and should inspire lawmakers to reform the program entirely. Repealing the SGR would also remove the annual invitation to waste time and money on the "doc fix" vote.
A long-term solution to the problem of physician reimbursement entails broader reforms to the Medicare program. Ultimately, rather than relying on government projections and formulas, Congress should give Medicare patients more control over their health insurance and allow doctors to work with private insurers to treat these patients. Medicare should be reformed into a "premium support" program, in which seniors receive funds from the government and are free to find and buy a private health insurance plan of their choice.
This would put these patients on equal footing with other (younger) patients who have private insurance, and would leave reimbursement rates between physicians and those insurers, getting government out of the business of setting rates. Lawmakers could even use permanent SGR repeal as a bargaining chip to advance these reforms.
Medicare patients would ultimately be more satisfied with private insurance plans. Private insurers would have to compete for Medicare beneficiaries who would have a choice about where to spend their dollars. Not only would they compete on price, but on the quality of insurance (what's covered, size of provider network, etc.)
And premium-support reforms would benefit taxpayers too. Premium support funding would encourage individual Medicare patients to efficiently use their health care dollars, and encourage insurers to deliver real value to this important group of consumers. Taxpayers would better be able to anticipate the programs' costs and be assured that funds were being targeted wisely, since those with greater financial needs would be given a greater share of government support.
That's the kind of "fix" that would benefit us all--doctors, patients, and taxpayers--and would mercifully eliminate one of Washington's most pointless and counterproductive annual political traditions. Reported by Huffington Post 20 minutes ago.
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3 Crucial Money To-Dos for Every Decade of Life
You know the saying, "Life is a marathon, not a sprint"? Well, it's actually a good money mantra, too.
Translation: All too often, we race through the nitty-gritty details of our finances and neglect to focus on crucial to-dos in the process -- like saving for retirement long before those golden years approach.
But if you adopt a marathon approach to money, it can allow you to take a more holistic look at your overall financial picture to see how decisions that you make in your 20s and 30s can impact your 40s, 50s and beyond.
Of course, no matter how old you are, financial health usually boils down to the same three basic goals: paying off credit card debt, growing your emergency fund and saving for retirement. But the way you approach these tasks -- and other money priorities -- may change as you age.
That's why we tapped Natalie Taylor, a CFP® with LearnVest Planning Services, to help make it simpler for you to begin taking more of a marathon tact with your finances by highlighting three of the top money to-dos she believes should be on everyone's radar in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 20s*
This is the time when you should be laying the groundwork for a bright financial future, Taylor says. One of the best ways to start? Consider creating a budget and tracking your expenses -- then test it out for several months to make sure it's realistic for you, adjusting it as need be. "This seems like a basic step, but a lot of people miss it," Taylor adds.
RELATED: The One-Number Strategy: A New Approach to Budgeting
The reality is that your finances are likely a lot simpler now than they will be in the future, when you may be juggling priorities like saving for a down payment on a house while also starting a family. So this is why your 20s are an ideal time to establish good money habits -- like getting that emergency fund going -- that can help carry you through the next decades.
*1. Tackle Credit Card Debt*
It's easy to think that delaying debt repayment until you're older and making more money is a good idea, but this strategy rarely pans out. Because as you make more, your expenses usually increase, too.
"Instead of renting, you're now going to buy a house, or you're combining finances with a partner, or you decide to have a family," Taylor explains. "All that extra money that seemed like it would make things so much easier suddenly isn't there."
This is why now is the time to work on breaking the credit-card-debt cycle for good -- but make sure you're approaching this goal strategically. A common mistake to avoid? Making giant repayments when you haven't properly budgeted for them.
It may seem like a good idea, but you risk running out of cash and then having to withdraw it from your savings account, or worse, running up your credit card bill again just to stay afloat. Instead, take a more measured approach, and be realistic about how much you can afford to repay at once -- then stick to the plan.
RELATED: How to Be a Financial Virgin Again... at Any Age
*2. Start an Emergency Fund*
While you're busy paying down your debt, don't forget what you should be building up: emergency savings. To help accomplish this goal, Taylor suggests setting up a direct deposit from your paycheck into a high-yield savings account, so you aren't tempted to spend that money before you can save it.
Ideally, you should aim to have six times your take-home pay saved up in your emergency fund. But if that figure seems too lofty a goal, your number-one priority is to save one month's worth of income. (We hereby give you permission to focus on this goal even before working toward others, like paying more than the minimum on your credit card bill.) Then graduate to a goal of three months' worth of pay -- and build up from there.
RELATED: 7 Reasons You Need an Emergency Fund
*3. Get in the Habit of Saving for Retirement*
At this point in your life, retirement is far off, and your 401(k) probably isn't the first place you want to put any extra hard-earned cash. But it can be important to start saving as early as you can: Even small amounts can make a big difference over time, thanks to the beauty of compound returns.
Start contributing a percentage of your paycheck that feels reasonable to you, and then plan to increase it by 1 percent every six months until you max out. And don't forget to fully take advantage of an employer match if your company offers one -- otherwise, you're leaving free money on the table, and trust us, you'll probably need it later.
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 30s*
During this decade, your financial goals are likely to get a bit more complicated. Many people are still paying off credit card debt and student loans, working on building emergency savings and kicking retirement savings into high gear -- while also saving for a house down payment and perhaps thinking about starting a family.
So what's the secret to juggling it all?
You can't just work on one goal at a time, but you also don't want to spread yourself too thin, Taylor says. "I look at income like a fire hose," she explains. "If you try to fill too many buckets, none of them are going to get very full."
So she suggests narrowing it down by focusing on your biggest three or four goals. If you haven't mastered the big three -- paying off credit card debt, building an emergency fund and minding your retirement savings -- then those should automatically be your top priorities. But once you've addressed your basic financial security needs, you can start contributing to other goals, like saving for a house or your kids' college.
RELATED: Checklist: I Want to Set Financial Goals for Myself
*1. Continue to Hack Away at Debt*
If you're still paying down your credit card balances, concentrate on the card with the highest interest rate, while paying the minimum on the others. This will help free you up to focus on other financial priorities sooner -- and help you pay less in the long run.
Ideally, you should also be close to paying off your student loans in your 30s -- or, at least, paying down a significant chunk of them. If you have low interest rates (under 4 percent), there's no need to rush to pay them off, enabling you to contribute to other financial goals in tandem. But if you're paying higher interest rates (6 percent or more), tackling those loans as quickly as possible should be top of mind -- and your to-do list -- after you've achieved financial security.
*2. Grow Your Kids' Numbers Too*
Little ones may also be entering the picture, and you'll probably have to plan for child care costs, as well as starting to save for college. For the latter, consider opening a 529 plan and contributing what you can now to help defray tuition costs and other college fees down the road. Just remember that not all college savings plans are created equal -- those sold by investment advisers tend to carry higher fees than 529s you can buy directly from the state, for example -- so do your homework before deciding which one is best for your family's needs.
RELATED: The Ins and Outs of 529s: What You Should Know About College Savings
*3. Reassess Your Insurance Needs*
Big life events -- getting married, having kids, buying a house -- can be trigger points for examining whether your insurance needs are being appropriately met. If you have dependents, securing life insurance now will help them maintain financial security in the future if anything should happen to you.
To further protect yourself and those you love, you should also consider both short- and long-term disability insurance in the event that an injury or illness ever prevents you from earning an income, adds Taylor. Start by looking into group policies available through your employer. Otherwise, you can shop around for the best life and disability rates with different insurance carriers or work with a broker you trust. Just keep in mind that they're usually earning a commission.
RELATED: 13 Things That May Make Life Insurance More Expensive
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 40s*
This is the decade to consider really hunkering down and making sure you're on top of your money. At this point in your life, you probably want to be out of the credit-card-debt cycle and have your student loans paid off. And as you make more, don't forget to keep padding your emergency fund if possible and revisiting your retirement projections -- while also paying attention to other ways to grow your money.
*1. Make Retirement Savings Your Priority*
If you have kids, you may be feeling the need to put your retirement savings on hold in favor of saving for college tuition. Well, as the old saying goes: You can borrow for college, but you can't borrow for retirement.
During your 40s, it's critical to understand how much you should be saving for retirement -- and help ensure that it comes first. So you should probably only consider putting money into junior's college fund if you've paid off bad debt and student loans, have a solid emergency fund and your retirement savings are on track.
Now is also a great time to consider how you can pad your nest egg with freelance or consulting work on the side, which can also help enable you to set the groundwork for having more income-generating options once you've stopped working full-time.
*2. Focus Your Investments*
Although you may not have paid much attention to portfolio management in your 30s, you've probably started accumulating some wealth by your 40s. These are typically your high-earning years, which makes it a good time to become more thoughtful about whether you're investing in the right way.
"It's important to do goal-oriented investing," Taylor says. What this means is that every investment has a purpose or goal associated with it, enabling you to invest each account according to your time horizon and your risk tolerance for each goal. For example, if a portion of your portfolio is earmarked for your kids' college fund, and they are less than 10 years away from high school graduation, consider making sure your investment allocation for that account is more conservative than funds you're saving for a retirement that's decades away.
RELATED: Should You Be Investing?
*3. Splurge -- Within Reason*
Just because you're making more money doesn't give you license to get too big for your financial britches. "People often fall into this pattern in their 40s," says Taylor. "All the other stuff is settled, and things are simpler from a financial standpoint."
So before you take off on that three-week trip to Tahiti or embark on a pricey home renovation, make sure your financial picture is truly in tip-top shape. "I'm all about balance -- savoring what you spend and enjoying life today, but also planning for tomorrow," says Taylor. "As long as important financial goals are being met, do the remodel or take that dream vacation."
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 50s*
Welcome to the "sandwich generation" years, when you may start to feel stuck between supporting your kids and taking care of aging parents.
But while you'll likely be facing many pulls on your money, it's OK to put yourself financially first. After all, there's a lot that should still be on your radar: retirement, long-term care for yourself, mortgage payments and portfolio management -- just to name a few.
*1. Revisit Your Savings and Investing Goals*
Your 50s are a key time to fully prep for retirement, whether it's five years away or 15. At this point, says Taylor, you should be "all in," saving as aggressively as you can.
So portfolio management can become even more critical now. "It's time to focus on preparing your portfolio to shift from growth to a combination of growth and income," says Taylor.
Typically, this means reducing risk, which can be accomplished by reducing stock holdings and increasing the percentage of bonds. "You'll also probably want to re-examine the fees you pay within your portfolio, and look for a discount brokerage firm to hold your accounts with low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds available," adds Taylor.
As you get closer to retirement, your emergency savings goal should now be one to two years of cash. "This way, if a '2008' hits the year you retire, you can just spend cash," says Taylor.
RELATED: How Do You Rebalance an Investment Portfolio?
*2. Prioritize Your Needs Over That of Your Kids*
During this decade of life, "I see a lot of clients struggling with figuring out how much they can afford to support a grown child," Taylor says. Bottom line: Even though it can be tough, continue to put yourself first. "The clock is ticking, and there's a very real possibility you may not get to work as long as you want," adds Taylor.
RELATED: Where Do You Draw the Line With Adult Children?
*3. Make Key Retirement Decisions*
"Many of my clients say, 'I don't really know what health insurance covers. I don't know what Medicare covers. I know it's something I need to think about, but I've heard long-term care is crazy expensive,'" Taylor says.
Well, now is the time to get educated.
"Learn about what long-term-care costs can look like, look at your finances to see what the impact would be if long-term care were needed for you or your partner, and then decide if insurance is the best way to meet that need or not," Taylor says. "Don't wait to make the decision until your 60s, when it gets really expensive."
You'll also probably want to revisit your estate plan -- your last will and testament, living will, power of attorney -- and confirm that your beneficiaries are up-to-date on your life insurance and retirement accounts. Prepare a similar form -- called "transfer on death" -- for all your taxable accounts including checking, savings and brokerage. "You want to make sure you're planning for the next 20 to 30 years today," Taylor says.
RELATED: 6 Documents Everyone Should Have to Protect Their Finances
This post originally appeared on LearnVest.
*More From LearnVest*
40 Financial Things You Should Know by 40
What Are Your 'High-Earning Years'? A Guide to Your Pay in Your 20s, 30s and 40s
10 Things to Know About Money After 50
LearnVest is a program for your money. Read our stories, use our tools and talk to a Planner about getting a financial plan designed for you.
LearnVest Planning Services is a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of LearnVest, Inc. that provides financial plans for its clients. Information shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal or tax planning advice. Please consult a financial adviser, attorney or tax specialist for advice specific to your financial situation. Unless specifically identified as such, the people interviewed in this piece are neither clients, employees nor affiliates of LearnVest Planning Services, and the views expressed are their own. LearnVest Planning Services and any third parties listed in this message are separate and unaffiliated and are not responsible for each other's products, services or policies. Reported by Huffington Post 1 day ago.
Translation: All too often, we race through the nitty-gritty details of our finances and neglect to focus on crucial to-dos in the process -- like saving for retirement long before those golden years approach.
But if you adopt a marathon approach to money, it can allow you to take a more holistic look at your overall financial picture to see how decisions that you make in your 20s and 30s can impact your 40s, 50s and beyond.
Of course, no matter how old you are, financial health usually boils down to the same three basic goals: paying off credit card debt, growing your emergency fund and saving for retirement. But the way you approach these tasks -- and other money priorities -- may change as you age.
That's why we tapped Natalie Taylor, a CFP® with LearnVest Planning Services, to help make it simpler for you to begin taking more of a marathon tact with your finances by highlighting three of the top money to-dos she believes should be on everyone's radar in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 20s*
This is the time when you should be laying the groundwork for a bright financial future, Taylor says. One of the best ways to start? Consider creating a budget and tracking your expenses -- then test it out for several months to make sure it's realistic for you, adjusting it as need be. "This seems like a basic step, but a lot of people miss it," Taylor adds.
RELATED: The One-Number Strategy: A New Approach to Budgeting
The reality is that your finances are likely a lot simpler now than they will be in the future, when you may be juggling priorities like saving for a down payment on a house while also starting a family. So this is why your 20s are an ideal time to establish good money habits -- like getting that emergency fund going -- that can help carry you through the next decades.
*1. Tackle Credit Card Debt*
It's easy to think that delaying debt repayment until you're older and making more money is a good idea, but this strategy rarely pans out. Because as you make more, your expenses usually increase, too.
"Instead of renting, you're now going to buy a house, or you're combining finances with a partner, or you decide to have a family," Taylor explains. "All that extra money that seemed like it would make things so much easier suddenly isn't there."
This is why now is the time to work on breaking the credit-card-debt cycle for good -- but make sure you're approaching this goal strategically. A common mistake to avoid? Making giant repayments when you haven't properly budgeted for them.
It may seem like a good idea, but you risk running out of cash and then having to withdraw it from your savings account, or worse, running up your credit card bill again just to stay afloat. Instead, take a more measured approach, and be realistic about how much you can afford to repay at once -- then stick to the plan.
RELATED: How to Be a Financial Virgin Again... at Any Age
*2. Start an Emergency Fund*
While you're busy paying down your debt, don't forget what you should be building up: emergency savings. To help accomplish this goal, Taylor suggests setting up a direct deposit from your paycheck into a high-yield savings account, so you aren't tempted to spend that money before you can save it.
Ideally, you should aim to have six times your take-home pay saved up in your emergency fund. But if that figure seems too lofty a goal, your number-one priority is to save one month's worth of income. (We hereby give you permission to focus on this goal even before working toward others, like paying more than the minimum on your credit card bill.) Then graduate to a goal of three months' worth of pay -- and build up from there.
RELATED: 7 Reasons You Need an Emergency Fund
*3. Get in the Habit of Saving for Retirement*
At this point in your life, retirement is far off, and your 401(k) probably isn't the first place you want to put any extra hard-earned cash. But it can be important to start saving as early as you can: Even small amounts can make a big difference over time, thanks to the beauty of compound returns.
Start contributing a percentage of your paycheck that feels reasonable to you, and then plan to increase it by 1 percent every six months until you max out. And don't forget to fully take advantage of an employer match if your company offers one -- otherwise, you're leaving free money on the table, and trust us, you'll probably need it later.
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 30s*
During this decade, your financial goals are likely to get a bit more complicated. Many people are still paying off credit card debt and student loans, working on building emergency savings and kicking retirement savings into high gear -- while also saving for a house down payment and perhaps thinking about starting a family.
So what's the secret to juggling it all?
You can't just work on one goal at a time, but you also don't want to spread yourself too thin, Taylor says. "I look at income like a fire hose," she explains. "If you try to fill too many buckets, none of them are going to get very full."
So she suggests narrowing it down by focusing on your biggest three or four goals. If you haven't mastered the big three -- paying off credit card debt, building an emergency fund and minding your retirement savings -- then those should automatically be your top priorities. But once you've addressed your basic financial security needs, you can start contributing to other goals, like saving for a house or your kids' college.
RELATED: Checklist: I Want to Set Financial Goals for Myself
*1. Continue to Hack Away at Debt*
If you're still paying down your credit card balances, concentrate on the card with the highest interest rate, while paying the minimum on the others. This will help free you up to focus on other financial priorities sooner -- and help you pay less in the long run.
Ideally, you should also be close to paying off your student loans in your 30s -- or, at least, paying down a significant chunk of them. If you have low interest rates (under 4 percent), there's no need to rush to pay them off, enabling you to contribute to other financial goals in tandem. But if you're paying higher interest rates (6 percent or more), tackling those loans as quickly as possible should be top of mind -- and your to-do list -- after you've achieved financial security.
*2. Grow Your Kids' Numbers Too*
Little ones may also be entering the picture, and you'll probably have to plan for child care costs, as well as starting to save for college. For the latter, consider opening a 529 plan and contributing what you can now to help defray tuition costs and other college fees down the road. Just remember that not all college savings plans are created equal -- those sold by investment advisers tend to carry higher fees than 529s you can buy directly from the state, for example -- so do your homework before deciding which one is best for your family's needs.
RELATED: The Ins and Outs of 529s: What You Should Know About College Savings
*3. Reassess Your Insurance Needs*
Big life events -- getting married, having kids, buying a house -- can be trigger points for examining whether your insurance needs are being appropriately met. If you have dependents, securing life insurance now will help them maintain financial security in the future if anything should happen to you.
To further protect yourself and those you love, you should also consider both short- and long-term disability insurance in the event that an injury or illness ever prevents you from earning an income, adds Taylor. Start by looking into group policies available through your employer. Otherwise, you can shop around for the best life and disability rates with different insurance carriers or work with a broker you trust. Just keep in mind that they're usually earning a commission.
RELATED: 13 Things That May Make Life Insurance More Expensive
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 40s*
This is the decade to consider really hunkering down and making sure you're on top of your money. At this point in your life, you probably want to be out of the credit-card-debt cycle and have your student loans paid off. And as you make more, don't forget to keep padding your emergency fund if possible and revisiting your retirement projections -- while also paying attention to other ways to grow your money.
*1. Make Retirement Savings Your Priority*
If you have kids, you may be feeling the need to put your retirement savings on hold in favor of saving for college tuition. Well, as the old saying goes: You can borrow for college, but you can't borrow for retirement.
During your 40s, it's critical to understand how much you should be saving for retirement -- and help ensure that it comes first. So you should probably only consider putting money into junior's college fund if you've paid off bad debt and student loans, have a solid emergency fund and your retirement savings are on track.
Now is also a great time to consider how you can pad your nest egg with freelance or consulting work on the side, which can also help enable you to set the groundwork for having more income-generating options once you've stopped working full-time.
*2. Focus Your Investments*
Although you may not have paid much attention to portfolio management in your 30s, you've probably started accumulating some wealth by your 40s. These are typically your high-earning years, which makes it a good time to become more thoughtful about whether you're investing in the right way.
"It's important to do goal-oriented investing," Taylor says. What this means is that every investment has a purpose or goal associated with it, enabling you to invest each account according to your time horizon and your risk tolerance for each goal. For example, if a portion of your portfolio is earmarked for your kids' college fund, and they are less than 10 years away from high school graduation, consider making sure your investment allocation for that account is more conservative than funds you're saving for a retirement that's decades away.
RELATED: Should You Be Investing?
*3. Splurge -- Within Reason*
Just because you're making more money doesn't give you license to get too big for your financial britches. "People often fall into this pattern in their 40s," says Taylor. "All the other stuff is settled, and things are simpler from a financial standpoint."
So before you take off on that three-week trip to Tahiti or embark on a pricey home renovation, make sure your financial picture is truly in tip-top shape. "I'm all about balance -- savoring what you spend and enjoying life today, but also planning for tomorrow," says Taylor. "As long as important financial goals are being met, do the remodel or take that dream vacation."
*3 of the Top Money To-Dos for Your 50s*
Welcome to the "sandwich generation" years, when you may start to feel stuck between supporting your kids and taking care of aging parents.
But while you'll likely be facing many pulls on your money, it's OK to put yourself financially first. After all, there's a lot that should still be on your radar: retirement, long-term care for yourself, mortgage payments and portfolio management -- just to name a few.
*1. Revisit Your Savings and Investing Goals*
Your 50s are a key time to fully prep for retirement, whether it's five years away or 15. At this point, says Taylor, you should be "all in," saving as aggressively as you can.
So portfolio management can become even more critical now. "It's time to focus on preparing your portfolio to shift from growth to a combination of growth and income," says Taylor.
Typically, this means reducing risk, which can be accomplished by reducing stock holdings and increasing the percentage of bonds. "You'll also probably want to re-examine the fees you pay within your portfolio, and look for a discount brokerage firm to hold your accounts with low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds available," adds Taylor.
As you get closer to retirement, your emergency savings goal should now be one to two years of cash. "This way, if a '2008' hits the year you retire, you can just spend cash," says Taylor.
RELATED: How Do You Rebalance an Investment Portfolio?
*2. Prioritize Your Needs Over That of Your Kids*
During this decade of life, "I see a lot of clients struggling with figuring out how much they can afford to support a grown child," Taylor says. Bottom line: Even though it can be tough, continue to put yourself first. "The clock is ticking, and there's a very real possibility you may not get to work as long as you want," adds Taylor.
RELATED: Where Do You Draw the Line With Adult Children?
*3. Make Key Retirement Decisions*
"Many of my clients say, 'I don't really know what health insurance covers. I don't know what Medicare covers. I know it's something I need to think about, but I've heard long-term care is crazy expensive,'" Taylor says.
Well, now is the time to get educated.
"Learn about what long-term-care costs can look like, look at your finances to see what the impact would be if long-term care were needed for you or your partner, and then decide if insurance is the best way to meet that need or not," Taylor says. "Don't wait to make the decision until your 60s, when it gets really expensive."
You'll also probably want to revisit your estate plan -- your last will and testament, living will, power of attorney -- and confirm that your beneficiaries are up-to-date on your life insurance and retirement accounts. Prepare a similar form -- called "transfer on death" -- for all your taxable accounts including checking, savings and brokerage. "You want to make sure you're planning for the next 20 to 30 years today," Taylor says.
RELATED: 6 Documents Everyone Should Have to Protect Their Finances
This post originally appeared on LearnVest.
*More From LearnVest*
40 Financial Things You Should Know by 40
What Are Your 'High-Earning Years'? A Guide to Your Pay in Your 20s, 30s and 40s
10 Things to Know About Money After 50
LearnVest is a program for your money. Read our stories, use our tools and talk to a Planner about getting a financial plan designed for you.
LearnVest Planning Services is a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of LearnVest, Inc. that provides financial plans for its clients. Information shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal or tax planning advice. Please consult a financial adviser, attorney or tax specialist for advice specific to your financial situation. Unless specifically identified as such, the people interviewed in this piece are neither clients, employees nor affiliates of LearnVest Planning Services, and the views expressed are their own. LearnVest Planning Services and any third parties listed in this message are separate and unaffiliated and are not responsible for each other's products, services or policies. Reported by Huffington Post 1 day ago.
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One GIF Shows The Drastic Impact Of Obamacare
The number of Americans without health insurance hit an all-time high in 2006. Nearly 44 million people (close to 17% of Americans) lacked even the most basic coverage, meaning they'd have to pay full price for any health treatment, from annual checkups to prescription medications.
Data from previous years showed the numbers were following a worrisome trend.
By 2010, as the number of uninsured continued to rise (even while the percentage of Americans without insurance held steady), it was clear America had a problem.
In many states, the numbers were far more dismal. Across Nevada, Texas, and several other southern states, more than 22% of the population lacked health insurance. (These numbers vary slightly depending on the data used; the maps below use the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index.)
Here's what 2010 looked like, in a visualization created by @MetricMaps:
Today, more Americans have health insurance than ever before.
Since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, an additional 10 million people who would have previously had to pay full price for any health treatment can now afford an annual checkup, eye glasses, or birth control pills.
Four million of them are young people between 19 and 25.
In states that embraced the ACA's planned expansion of Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor, the number of uninsured fell by nearly 40%.
A wide swath of Western states, including California, Nevada, and Washington saw the number of their residents with insurance climb sharply. Texas (which opted out of participating in the Medicaid expansion along with several other states, mostly in the South), is now the only state where more than 22% of the population lacks coverage.
In total, an estimated 3.6 million Americans who would have likely received Medicaid coverage under the new rules remain uninsured today because they live in states that opted out of the Medicaid expansion.
While the population of uninsured Americans seems to be shrinking, the Affordable Care Act itself is far from perfect. Dozens of glitches in the online system of enrollment likely prohibited hundreds from signing up — only six people actually managed to enroll in Obamacare the first day the system rolled out. The law also raised the cost of health insurance for some people who already had private coverage because it forced insurers to provide more benefits and to cover people with pre-existing conditions.
Regardless, the Affordable Care Act was created in part to increase the number of Americans with health insurance. And it's undoubtedly achieved that goal.
Here's the 2008-2014 action in all its GIF glory:
*SEE ALSO: 11 Charts That Should Make People Embarrassed Of The US Healthcare System*
*DON'T MISS: Obama Just Took A Big Victory Lap On Obamacare*
Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 22 hours ago.
Data from previous years showed the numbers were following a worrisome trend.
By 2010, as the number of uninsured continued to rise (even while the percentage of Americans without insurance held steady), it was clear America had a problem.
In many states, the numbers were far more dismal. Across Nevada, Texas, and several other southern states, more than 22% of the population lacked health insurance. (These numbers vary slightly depending on the data used; the maps below use the Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index.)
Here's what 2010 looked like, in a visualization created by @MetricMaps:
Today, more Americans have health insurance than ever before.
Since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, an additional 10 million people who would have previously had to pay full price for any health treatment can now afford an annual checkup, eye glasses, or birth control pills.
Four million of them are young people between 19 and 25.
In states that embraced the ACA's planned expansion of Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor, the number of uninsured fell by nearly 40%.
A wide swath of Western states, including California, Nevada, and Washington saw the number of their residents with insurance climb sharply. Texas (which opted out of participating in the Medicaid expansion along with several other states, mostly in the South), is now the only state where more than 22% of the population lacks coverage.
In total, an estimated 3.6 million Americans who would have likely received Medicaid coverage under the new rules remain uninsured today because they live in states that opted out of the Medicaid expansion.
While the population of uninsured Americans seems to be shrinking, the Affordable Care Act itself is far from perfect. Dozens of glitches in the online system of enrollment likely prohibited hundreds from signing up — only six people actually managed to enroll in Obamacare the first day the system rolled out. The law also raised the cost of health insurance for some people who already had private coverage because it forced insurers to provide more benefits and to cover people with pre-existing conditions.
Regardless, the Affordable Care Act was created in part to increase the number of Americans with health insurance. And it's undoubtedly achieved that goal.
Here's the 2008-2014 action in all its GIF glory:
*SEE ALSO: 11 Charts That Should Make People Embarrassed Of The US Healthcare System*
*DON'T MISS: Obama Just Took A Big Victory Lap On Obamacare*
Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 22 hours ago.
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Nashville Based Music Health Alliance Releasing Additional Tickets for an Evening with Emily West at Franklin Theatre on November 8, 2014 at 7:00pm
Music Health Alliance, a Nashville based non-profit organization providing healthcare solutions to music industry professionals, is announcing the release of additional tickets for “An Evening with Emily West" benefit performance at the Franklin Theater on November 8, 2014 at 7:00pm. Doors open at 6:00pm.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
Music Health Alliance announces “An Evening with Emily West” at the Franklin Theater on November 8, 2014. This is her first live performance since stealing the hearts of America on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Emily is coming home to heal the music through this one-night only performance benefiting Music Health Alliance.
“I am so thrilled to be coming home to support an organization that helps so many of my own friends within the music community,” says Emily West.
Singer-songwriter Emily West moved to Nashville at age 18 and had some success as a country music artist. But a few months ago, she wanted a clean slate, so she sold her car, packed her bags for New York City and never looked back. Emily's dream is to have a one-woman show that tells stories through her songs. Her music inspirations include Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Rufus Wainwright and Antony and the Johnsons. Most recently, Emily was first runner-up on America’s Got Talent showcasing some of the songs she will perform at The Franklin Theatre.
“Emily’s story is our story,” says Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder/Executive Director for MHA. “We are honored for her to join our mission to heal the music.”
Music Health Alliance has secured over $4.2 million dollars in life-changing healthcare resources to heal the music in the last two years. MHA has enabled more than 1,200 music industry professionals to receive the care they so desperately needed.
These stories include assisting an uninsured musician with life-saving brain surgery; a Grammy-winning songwriter receive Parkinson’s medication enabling him to buy groceries and stop reusing disposable diapers; helping a southern rocker with a liver transplant; an esophageal cancer patient receive disability financial assistance while undergoing chemotherapy; and finding affordable health insurance for a songwriter for the first time in 30 years.
At Music Health Alliance, there is always a solution. The client is never alone.
Assistance is provided nationwide in all genres of music to anyone who has been in the music business at least two years. As a nonprofit, all of MHA’s services are free. MHA depends on philanthropic donations, fundraising, and grants.
Tickets are available thru The Franklin Theatre Box Office starting Tuesday, October 7, in Franklin, TN or by calling (615) 538-2076.
Music Health Alliance is music’s resource for healthcare.
The MHA mission is to heal the music by providing access to healthcare through services that PROTECT, DIRECT & CONNECT music industry professionals with medical and financial solutions. MHA services PROTECT clients with health insurance or alternative ways to pay for healthcare. They DIRECT by providing confidential guidance, education and navigation until one’s healthcare need is resolved. MHA services CONNECT clients with resources like medicine, hospitals, doctors and financial aid to enable clients to pursue wellness. MHA provides compassionate and patient-driven healthcare support with a vision of long-term prevention of illness and overall wellness from the beginning to the end of life.
For donation Information, please click the link. Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
Music Health Alliance announces “An Evening with Emily West” at the Franklin Theater on November 8, 2014. This is her first live performance since stealing the hearts of America on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Emily is coming home to heal the music through this one-night only performance benefiting Music Health Alliance.
“I am so thrilled to be coming home to support an organization that helps so many of my own friends within the music community,” says Emily West.
Singer-songwriter Emily West moved to Nashville at age 18 and had some success as a country music artist. But a few months ago, she wanted a clean slate, so she sold her car, packed her bags for New York City and never looked back. Emily's dream is to have a one-woman show that tells stories through her songs. Her music inspirations include Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Rufus Wainwright and Antony and the Johnsons. Most recently, Emily was first runner-up on America’s Got Talent showcasing some of the songs she will perform at The Franklin Theatre.
“Emily’s story is our story,” says Tatum Hauck Allsep, Founder/Executive Director for MHA. “We are honored for her to join our mission to heal the music.”
Music Health Alliance has secured over $4.2 million dollars in life-changing healthcare resources to heal the music in the last two years. MHA has enabled more than 1,200 music industry professionals to receive the care they so desperately needed.
These stories include assisting an uninsured musician with life-saving brain surgery; a Grammy-winning songwriter receive Parkinson’s medication enabling him to buy groceries and stop reusing disposable diapers; helping a southern rocker with a liver transplant; an esophageal cancer patient receive disability financial assistance while undergoing chemotherapy; and finding affordable health insurance for a songwriter for the first time in 30 years.
At Music Health Alliance, there is always a solution. The client is never alone.
Assistance is provided nationwide in all genres of music to anyone who has been in the music business at least two years. As a nonprofit, all of MHA’s services are free. MHA depends on philanthropic donations, fundraising, and grants.
Tickets are available thru The Franklin Theatre Box Office starting Tuesday, October 7, in Franklin, TN or by calling (615) 538-2076.
Music Health Alliance is music’s resource for healthcare.
The MHA mission is to heal the music by providing access to healthcare through services that PROTECT, DIRECT & CONNECT music industry professionals with medical and financial solutions. MHA services PROTECT clients with health insurance or alternative ways to pay for healthcare. They DIRECT by providing confidential guidance, education and navigation until one’s healthcare need is resolved. MHA services CONNECT clients with resources like medicine, hospitals, doctors and financial aid to enable clients to pursue wellness. MHA provides compassionate and patient-driven healthcare support with a vision of long-term prevention of illness and overall wellness from the beginning to the end of life.
For donation Information, please click the link. Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.
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ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions Provides Tips On How To Avoid Challenges And Additional Costs When Entering The Upcoming Open Enrollment Period Of The Online Health
ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions Provides Tips On How To Avoid Challenges And Additional Costs When Entering The Upcoming Open Enrollment Period Of The Online Health Insurance Marketplace
Bedford Park, Illinois (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
“The open enrollment period for 2015 begins November 15th and we are excited that our clients will have many new choices as many new carriers enter the Health Insurance Marketplace. In addition, healthcare.gov promises to be a more efficient and effective tool for comparing plans, rates and benefits,” says Sandra Horn, president, ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions (ACAMES).
Horn continued, “People will be renewing their health insurance policies at the same time that others are enrolling for the first time. In fact, according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 89% of the nation’s uninsured are unaware that open enrollment begins November 15. (1) With all of the many factors facing consumers, working with a licensed insurance professional, such as the ACAMES enrollment firm that specializes in the Health Insurance Marketplace, is more important than ever.”
Avoid Higher Penalties by Enrolling In A Health Care Plan During The Open Enrollment Period
PPACA includes a provision, often referred to as the “individual mandate,” that requires Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty. The second round of PPACA’s open enrollment window is set to begin on November 15, 2014 and run through February 15, 2015. It is critical that those Americans who do not have health insurance obtain a qualified health plan before this enrollment period ends or they will be subject to a penalty. Many Americans may be caught off-guard at tax time, when they realize that they owe a penalty for not having purchased coverage in 2014, and it may be too late for them to do anything about their 2015 penalty when they file their 2014 taxes.· In 2014, the penalty for not obtaining health coverage was $95 per adult and $47.50 per child up to $285 per family, or one percent of taxable family income, whichever was greater.
· In 2015, the penalty increases to $325 per adult and $162.50 per child up to $975 per family, or two percent of taxable family income, whichever is greater. (2)
With the dramatic penalty increase for not having health insurance, it is critical Americans obtain insurance. ACAMES licensed insurance professionals have a wealth of experience to guide individuals and assist them in selecting a health insurance policy that meets their health needs, is affordable and protects them from hefty penalties.
About ACAMES:
ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions is a national enrollment firm specializing in the Health Insurance Marketplace and the Senior Product Market. ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions is not affiliated with any governmental agency. We work with consumers to determine their subsidy eligibility, review benefits and plans that will meet their healthcare needs and get them enrolled for coverage. We offer opportunities for producers to have access to our carriers on a national level. Our Call Center is staffed with multi-lingual and licensed health insurance agents who also are certified on the exchange. The company’s website, http://www.ACAenroll.com, and our Call Center staff are available to assist enrollees through the entire enrollment process. Go to http://www.ACAenroll.com or contact 1-800-342-0631 for more information.
Sources:
(1) http://www.benefitspro.com
(2) http://www.beckershospitalreview.com Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.
Bedford Park, Illinois (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
“The open enrollment period for 2015 begins November 15th and we are excited that our clients will have many new choices as many new carriers enter the Health Insurance Marketplace. In addition, healthcare.gov promises to be a more efficient and effective tool for comparing plans, rates and benefits,” says Sandra Horn, president, ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions (ACAMES).
Horn continued, “People will be renewing their health insurance policies at the same time that others are enrolling for the first time. In fact, according to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 89% of the nation’s uninsured are unaware that open enrollment begins November 15. (1) With all of the many factors facing consumers, working with a licensed insurance professional, such as the ACAMES enrollment firm that specializes in the Health Insurance Marketplace, is more important than ever.”
Avoid Higher Penalties by Enrolling In A Health Care Plan During The Open Enrollment Period
PPACA includes a provision, often referred to as the “individual mandate,” that requires Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty. The second round of PPACA’s open enrollment window is set to begin on November 15, 2014 and run through February 15, 2015. It is critical that those Americans who do not have health insurance obtain a qualified health plan before this enrollment period ends or they will be subject to a penalty. Many Americans may be caught off-guard at tax time, when they realize that they owe a penalty for not having purchased coverage in 2014, and it may be too late for them to do anything about their 2015 penalty when they file their 2014 taxes.· In 2014, the penalty for not obtaining health coverage was $95 per adult and $47.50 per child up to $285 per family, or one percent of taxable family income, whichever was greater.
· In 2015, the penalty increases to $325 per adult and $162.50 per child up to $975 per family, or two percent of taxable family income, whichever is greater. (2)
With the dramatic penalty increase for not having health insurance, it is critical Americans obtain insurance. ACAMES licensed insurance professionals have a wealth of experience to guide individuals and assist them in selecting a health insurance policy that meets their health needs, is affordable and protects them from hefty penalties.
About ACAMES:
ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions is a national enrollment firm specializing in the Health Insurance Marketplace and the Senior Product Market. ACA Marketplace Enrollment Solutions is not affiliated with any governmental agency. We work with consumers to determine their subsidy eligibility, review benefits and plans that will meet their healthcare needs and get them enrolled for coverage. We offer opportunities for producers to have access to our carriers on a national level. Our Call Center is staffed with multi-lingual and licensed health insurance agents who also are certified on the exchange. The company’s website, http://www.ACAenroll.com, and our Call Center staff are available to assist enrollees through the entire enrollment process. Go to http://www.ACAenroll.com or contact 1-800-342-0631 for more information.
Sources:
(1) http://www.benefitspro.com
(2) http://www.beckershospitalreview.com Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.
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Member Benefits Selected to Launch Private Health Insurance Exchange for Florida Home Builders Association
Member Benefits, a national leader in private health exchange and benefits provider for association programs, announced that it has been selected as the exclusive, endorsed provider of a private health insurance exchange for members of the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA).
Jacksonville, Florida (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
Member Benefits, a national leader in private health exchange and benefits provider for associations programs, announced that it has been selected as the exclusive, endorsed provider of a private health insurance exchange for members of the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA). The offering is a unique online marketplace that offers customized benefit plans for individual FHBA members and employer group members of all sizes. With a full line of health insurance plans and other benefits, the exchange also provides an integrated and efficient shopping experience that utilizes decision support technology to help members choose the plans that best suits their needs.
Member Benefits will work in strategic partnership with FHB Insurance, the wholly owned subsidiary of the FHBA, to compliment the current member insurance programs to better meet the insurance needs of Florida’s construction industry.
“As a well-known leader in association insurance programs, Member Benefits was selected because of its proven track record of success with associations and superior service model for health insurance programs. What we are offering through Member Benefits is a truly world-class program and one that is worthy of the FHBA members,” said Jerry Linder, FHBA President. “We are confident that the new private health exchange will be of significant value to our members and their employees.”
“This new endorsement reinforces that Member Benefits is a clear market leader for insurance benefits programs and private exchange solutions for associations. Our technology has been very well received by our existing association clients and we are excited about the new opportunity to work with FHBA members,” said Nicklaus Trefry, Chief Operating Officer, Member Benefits.
About the Florida Home Builders Association
Established in 1949, the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) represents the interests of Florida's home building, remodeling and commercial construction industry. The FHBA is one of the most dynamic trade organizations of its kind in America. FHBA's 7500 corporate members and their 350,000+ employees contribute to making construction Florida's second largest economic engine. At its core, FHBA is about advocacy and its legislative, legal and political initiatives have worked together to create the best possible economic and regulatory environment for its members to succeed.
About Member Benefits
Member Benefits is a full-service insurance third party administrator and private exchange technology provider specializing in the design, marketing, and administration of professional affinity group and association member benefit programs. For more information, visit the Member Benefits Web site at http://www.memberbenefits.com
Follow Member Benefits on: Facebook | Twitter
Source: Member Benefits, Jacksonville, FL
Member Benefits
Patrick Gearhart, 904-396-3696 Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
Jacksonville, Florida (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
Member Benefits, a national leader in private health exchange and benefits provider for associations programs, announced that it has been selected as the exclusive, endorsed provider of a private health insurance exchange for members of the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA). The offering is a unique online marketplace that offers customized benefit plans for individual FHBA members and employer group members of all sizes. With a full line of health insurance plans and other benefits, the exchange also provides an integrated and efficient shopping experience that utilizes decision support technology to help members choose the plans that best suits their needs.
Member Benefits will work in strategic partnership with FHB Insurance, the wholly owned subsidiary of the FHBA, to compliment the current member insurance programs to better meet the insurance needs of Florida’s construction industry.
“As a well-known leader in association insurance programs, Member Benefits was selected because of its proven track record of success with associations and superior service model for health insurance programs. What we are offering through Member Benefits is a truly world-class program and one that is worthy of the FHBA members,” said Jerry Linder, FHBA President. “We are confident that the new private health exchange will be of significant value to our members and their employees.”
“This new endorsement reinforces that Member Benefits is a clear market leader for insurance benefits programs and private exchange solutions for associations. Our technology has been very well received by our existing association clients and we are excited about the new opportunity to work with FHBA members,” said Nicklaus Trefry, Chief Operating Officer, Member Benefits.
About the Florida Home Builders Association
Established in 1949, the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) represents the interests of Florida's home building, remodeling and commercial construction industry. The FHBA is one of the most dynamic trade organizations of its kind in America. FHBA's 7500 corporate members and their 350,000+ employees contribute to making construction Florida's second largest economic engine. At its core, FHBA is about advocacy and its legislative, legal and political initiatives have worked together to create the best possible economic and regulatory environment for its members to succeed.
About Member Benefits
Member Benefits is a full-service insurance third party administrator and private exchange technology provider specializing in the design, marketing, and administration of professional affinity group and association member benefit programs. For more information, visit the Member Benefits Web site at http://www.memberbenefits.com
Follow Member Benefits on: Facebook | Twitter
Source: Member Benefits, Jacksonville, FL
Member Benefits
Patrick Gearhart, 904-396-3696 Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Marcel’s Culinary Experience, Glen Ellyn, IL, Announces New Gift Boxes, Private/Corporate Event Options
Marcel’s Culinary Experience, a gourmet retail store and recreational cooking school in Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Chicago suburb), is gearing up for the year-end holidays with new gift boxes and private event options.
Glen Ellyn, IL (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
Marcel’s Culinary Experience (http://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com), a gourmet retail store and recreational cooking school in Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Chicago suburb), is gearing up for the year-end holidays with new gift boxes and private event options.
“With the improving economy, our customers are getting into holiday mode earlier this year. Many weekend evenings already are booked with corporate and family holiday parties, and we’ve been getting inquiries about gift baskets and boxes for a while,” says Marcel’s Proprietor Jill Foucré.
With gift giving and entertaining in mind, Marcel’s staff has assembled six collections of small-batch specialty foods, starting at $75, that come attractively packaged in a Marcel’s branded box for pick up at the store or shipment anywhere in North America. Themes include Taste of Italy, Party Starter and Marcel’s Favorites (as selected by the staff). Many items are made by Chicago area and regional purveyors.
“We also can create custom-designed gift baskets or boxes, based on a customer’s preferred theme and budget, and we can even include a bottle of wine,” says Foucré.
She encourages individuals and corporate event planners looking to create fun, food-oriented holiday parties, private group classes and other special events to contact her soon, especially if they have a specific date in mind. “Weekends are booking up quickly, as is the entire month of December,” she says.
Since its September 2011 opening, Marcel’s has been the site of an increasing number of private events, including birthday and anniversary parties, baby and bridal showers, club meetings, corporate team-building outings, and company celebrations of all types. With its beautifully appointed, professional quality kitchen, skilled chefs, and wide choice of menus, Marcel’s lends itself to a variety of event themes and formats. Options range from cocktail parties to demonstration and participatory cooking classes for all skill levels (including kids and teens) to seated meals and everything in between.
“Guests can create an unforgettable meal under the guidance of one of our professional chefs, or they can sit back, relax, savor a glass of wine and watch as our chef takes the reins on their culinary journey,” says Foucré.
The Marcel’s staff works with each host to tailor the menu, beverages and guest participation levels according to the specific budget. Events typically range from 10 to 60 people, depending on format and events for smaller groups are available as well.
In addition to food and beverages prepared and served at each event, guests receive copies of the featured recipes, a Marcel’s apron, and a 10% discount on all purchases made at Marcel’s that day.
For more information about gift boxes or hosting a party or other event at Marcel’s Culinary Experience, stop by the store at 490 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, call 630-790-8500 or visit http://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com.
About Marcel’s Culinary Experience
Marcel’s Culinary Experience is a combination retail store and recreational cooking school located at 490 N. Main in historic downtown Glen Ellyn, Ill., about 20 miles west of downtown Chicago. Marcel’s operates a full schedule of culinary classes for cooks of all ages and skill levels, and is available for private events of up to 40 people. The retail space is stocked with fine cookware and hardworking professional tools, exquisite tablewares, specialty foods and one-of-a-kind items. It also offers a gift registry, gift basket service, and a fresh market with cheeses, breads and charcuterie. Marcel’s owner is Jill Foucré, a former health insurance executive, who named the space after her grandfather, a French chef and restaurateur. For more information, visit http://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
Glen Ellyn, IL (PRWEB) October 31, 2014
Marcel’s Culinary Experience (http://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com), a gourmet retail store and recreational cooking school in Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Chicago suburb), is gearing up for the year-end holidays with new gift boxes and private event options.
“With the improving economy, our customers are getting into holiday mode earlier this year. Many weekend evenings already are booked with corporate and family holiday parties, and we’ve been getting inquiries about gift baskets and boxes for a while,” says Marcel’s Proprietor Jill Foucré.
With gift giving and entertaining in mind, Marcel’s staff has assembled six collections of small-batch specialty foods, starting at $75, that come attractively packaged in a Marcel’s branded box for pick up at the store or shipment anywhere in North America. Themes include Taste of Italy, Party Starter and Marcel’s Favorites (as selected by the staff). Many items are made by Chicago area and regional purveyors.
“We also can create custom-designed gift baskets or boxes, based on a customer’s preferred theme and budget, and we can even include a bottle of wine,” says Foucré.
She encourages individuals and corporate event planners looking to create fun, food-oriented holiday parties, private group classes and other special events to contact her soon, especially if they have a specific date in mind. “Weekends are booking up quickly, as is the entire month of December,” she says.
Since its September 2011 opening, Marcel’s has been the site of an increasing number of private events, including birthday and anniversary parties, baby and bridal showers, club meetings, corporate team-building outings, and company celebrations of all types. With its beautifully appointed, professional quality kitchen, skilled chefs, and wide choice of menus, Marcel’s lends itself to a variety of event themes and formats. Options range from cocktail parties to demonstration and participatory cooking classes for all skill levels (including kids and teens) to seated meals and everything in between.
“Guests can create an unforgettable meal under the guidance of one of our professional chefs, or they can sit back, relax, savor a glass of wine and watch as our chef takes the reins on their culinary journey,” says Foucré.
The Marcel’s staff works with each host to tailor the menu, beverages and guest participation levels according to the specific budget. Events typically range from 10 to 60 people, depending on format and events for smaller groups are available as well.
In addition to food and beverages prepared and served at each event, guests receive copies of the featured recipes, a Marcel’s apron, and a 10% discount on all purchases made at Marcel’s that day.
For more information about gift boxes or hosting a party or other event at Marcel’s Culinary Experience, stop by the store at 490 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, call 630-790-8500 or visit http://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com.
About Marcel’s Culinary Experience
Marcel’s Culinary Experience is a combination retail store and recreational cooking school located at 490 N. Main in historic downtown Glen Ellyn, Ill., about 20 miles west of downtown Chicago. Marcel’s operates a full schedule of culinary classes for cooks of all ages and skill levels, and is available for private events of up to 40 people. The retail space is stocked with fine cookware and hardworking professional tools, exquisite tablewares, specialty foods and one-of-a-kind items. It also offers a gift registry, gift basket service, and a fresh market with cheeses, breads and charcuterie. Marcel’s owner is Jill Foucré, a former health insurance executive, who named the space after her grandfather, a French chef and restaurateur. For more information, visit http://www.marcelsculinaryexperience.com. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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Medicare Working To Fix Rule That Paid For Drugs Even After Patients Were Dead
WASHINGTON (AP) — Call it drugs for the departed: Medicare's prescription program kept paying for costly medications even after patients were dead.
The problem was traced back to a head-scratching bureaucratic rule that's now getting a second look.
A report coming out Friday from the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general says the Medicare rule allows payment for prescriptions filled up to 32 days after a patient's death — at odds with the program's basic principles, not to mention common sense.
"Drugs for deceased beneficiaries are clearly not medically indicated, which is a requirement for (Medicare) coverage," the IG report said. It urged immediate changes to eliminate or restrict the payment policy.
Medicare said it's working on a fix.
Investigators examined claims from 2012 for a tiny sliver of Medicare drugs — medications to treat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS — and then cross-referenced them with death records. They found that the program paid for drugs for 158 beneficiaries after they were already dead. The cost to taxpayers: $292,381, an average of $1,850 for each beneficiary.
Medicare's "current practices allowed most of these payments to occur," the report said.
Of 348 prescriptions dispensed for the dead beneficiaries, nearly half were filled more than a week after the patient died. Sometimes multiple prescriptions were filled on behalf of a single dead person.
Investigators don't know what happened to the medications obtained on behalf of dead people, but some may have been diverted to the underground market for prescription medicines. The report said HIV drugs can be targets for fraud since they can be very expensive; one common HIV drug costs about $1,700 for a month's supply, it said.
Medicare is the government's premier health insurance program, providing coverage to about 55 million seniors and disabled people. Prescription coverage delivered through private insurance plans began in 2006 as a major expansion of the program. But it's also been a target for scams.
The report did not estimate the potential financial impact across the $85 billion-a-year Medicare prescription program known as Part D. But investigators believe the waste may add up to millions of dollars.
"The exposure for the entire Part D program could be significant," said Miriam Anderson, team leader on the report. "The payment policy is the same for all drugs, whether they are $2,000 drugs to treat HIV or $4 generic drugs."
In a formal response, Medicare agreed with the investigators' recommendations.
"After reviewing this report, (Medicare) has had preliminary discussions with the industry to revisit the need for a 32-day window," wrote Marilyn Tavenner, the Obama administration's Medicare chief.
Medicare had originally maintained that the date of service listed in the billing records could instead reflect when a pharmacy submitted bills for payment. That billing date might have actually occurred after a prescription was filled, since some nursing home and institutional pharmacies submit their bills in monthly bundles.
However, the inspector general's investigators found that about 80 percent of the prescriptions for dead beneficiaries were filled at neighborhood pharmacies, undercutting Medicare's first explanation. As for the remainder, the investigators said they didn't see any reason pharmacies can't report an accurate date of service.
Investigators said they stumbled on the problem during an examination of coverage for AIDS drugs dispensed to Medicare beneficiaries. Sexually transmitted diseases are an increasingly recognized problem among older people.
That earlier investigation raised questions about expensive medications billed on behalf of nearly 1,600 Medicare recipients.
Some had no HIV diagnosis in their records, but they were prescribed the drugs anyway. Others were receiving excessively large supplies of medications. Several were getting prescriptions filled from an unusually large number of pharmacies.
Prescription drug fraud has many angles. When the high price of a drug puts it out of reach for certain patients, it can create an underground market. And some medications, like painkillers and anti-anxiety pills, are constantly sought after by people with substance-abuse issues.
___
Online:
HHS Inspector General: http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-11-00172.pdf Reported by Huffington Post 11 hours ago.
The problem was traced back to a head-scratching bureaucratic rule that's now getting a second look.
A report coming out Friday from the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general says the Medicare rule allows payment for prescriptions filled up to 32 days after a patient's death — at odds with the program's basic principles, not to mention common sense.
"Drugs for deceased beneficiaries are clearly not medically indicated, which is a requirement for (Medicare) coverage," the IG report said. It urged immediate changes to eliminate or restrict the payment policy.
Medicare said it's working on a fix.
Investigators examined claims from 2012 for a tiny sliver of Medicare drugs — medications to treat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS — and then cross-referenced them with death records. They found that the program paid for drugs for 158 beneficiaries after they were already dead. The cost to taxpayers: $292,381, an average of $1,850 for each beneficiary.
Medicare's "current practices allowed most of these payments to occur," the report said.
Of 348 prescriptions dispensed for the dead beneficiaries, nearly half were filled more than a week after the patient died. Sometimes multiple prescriptions were filled on behalf of a single dead person.
Investigators don't know what happened to the medications obtained on behalf of dead people, but some may have been diverted to the underground market for prescription medicines. The report said HIV drugs can be targets for fraud since they can be very expensive; one common HIV drug costs about $1,700 for a month's supply, it said.
Medicare is the government's premier health insurance program, providing coverage to about 55 million seniors and disabled people. Prescription coverage delivered through private insurance plans began in 2006 as a major expansion of the program. But it's also been a target for scams.
The report did not estimate the potential financial impact across the $85 billion-a-year Medicare prescription program known as Part D. But investigators believe the waste may add up to millions of dollars.
"The exposure for the entire Part D program could be significant," said Miriam Anderson, team leader on the report. "The payment policy is the same for all drugs, whether they are $2,000 drugs to treat HIV or $4 generic drugs."
In a formal response, Medicare agreed with the investigators' recommendations.
"After reviewing this report, (Medicare) has had preliminary discussions with the industry to revisit the need for a 32-day window," wrote Marilyn Tavenner, the Obama administration's Medicare chief.
Medicare had originally maintained that the date of service listed in the billing records could instead reflect when a pharmacy submitted bills for payment. That billing date might have actually occurred after a prescription was filled, since some nursing home and institutional pharmacies submit their bills in monthly bundles.
However, the inspector general's investigators found that about 80 percent of the prescriptions for dead beneficiaries were filled at neighborhood pharmacies, undercutting Medicare's first explanation. As for the remainder, the investigators said they didn't see any reason pharmacies can't report an accurate date of service.
Investigators said they stumbled on the problem during an examination of coverage for AIDS drugs dispensed to Medicare beneficiaries. Sexually transmitted diseases are an increasingly recognized problem among older people.
That earlier investigation raised questions about expensive medications billed on behalf of nearly 1,600 Medicare recipients.
Some had no HIV diagnosis in their records, but they were prescribed the drugs anyway. Others were receiving excessively large supplies of medications. Several were getting prescriptions filled from an unusually large number of pharmacies.
Prescription drug fraud has many angles. When the high price of a drug puts it out of reach for certain patients, it can create an underground market. And some medications, like painkillers and anti-anxiety pills, are constantly sought after by people with substance-abuse issues.
___
Online:
HHS Inspector General: http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-11-00172.pdf Reported by Huffington Post 11 hours ago.
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APNewsBreak: Medicare bought meds for dead people
A report coming out Friday from the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general says the Medicare rule allows payment for prescriptions filled up to 32 days after a patient's death — at odds with the program's basic principles, not to mention common sense. Investigators examined claims from 2012 for a tiny sliver of Medicare drugs — medications to treat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS — and then cross-referenced them with death records. Investigators don't know what happened to the medications obtained on behalf of dead people, but some may have been diverted to the underground market for prescription medicines. Medicare is the government's premier health insurance program, providing coverage to about 55 million seniors and disabled people. Prescription coverage delivered through private insurance plans began in 2006 as a major expansion of the program. "After reviewing this report, (Medicare) has had preliminary discussions with the industry to revisit the need for a 32-day window," wrote Marilyn Tavenner, the Obama administration's Medicare chief. Investigators said they stumbled on the problem during an examination of coverage for AIDS drugs dispensed to Medicare beneficiaries.
Reported by SeattlePI.com 13 hours ago.
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For Families With Mixed Immigration Status, Health Insurance Can Be Puzzling
For Families With Mixed Immigration Status, Health Insurance Can Be Puzzling
Reported by ajc.com 11 hours ago.
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