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White House Mulls ObamaCare Subsidies for Labor Unions

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White House Mulls ObamaCare Subsidies for Labor Unions As union members and their leaders have become increasingly opposed to ObamaCare’s restrictions, the White House is reportedly considering a plan to offer health insurance subsidies--which were originally intended for the uninsured--to labor union members who already have employer-sponsored health insurance plans.

According to InsideHealthPolicy, the White House is working on regulations to address the unions’ concerns about Taft-Hartley plans:



Separately, the Office of Management and Budget previously showed on its regulatory review web site that on Aug. 24 it received a Department of Labor proposed rule on “Health Insurance Premium Assistance Trust Supporting the Purchase of Certain Individual Health Insurance Policies.” The rule, which OMB said is ACA-related, also appears to deal with the exclusion from a definition of an employee welfare benefit plan, but this week the description vanished.

Group health plans are employee welfare benefit plans that are established or maintained by an employer, by an employee organization such as a union, or both. The Labor department on Tuesday (Aug. 27) did not return requests for comment as to why the health insurance premium assistance trust proposed rule and description were taken down.



Multi-employer “Taft-Hartley” plans have tried to convince HHS that these plans should qualify as approved insurance plans in order to allow employees to obtain premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Without subsidies, employers will be pressured to end their contributions.

As healthcare policy expert Avik Roy explains at Forbes:



Workers with employer-sponsored coverage don’t qualify for subsidized coverage on Obamacare’s insurance exchanges. Those subsidies are designed for low-income people who aren’t offered coverage from their employers, and have to shop for insurance on their own. But the labor union leaders want those subsidies to also apply to their members with employer-sponsored coverage, even though they already get those benefits tax-free due to the employer tax exclusion for health insurance.



Whether a union “fix” will work is still debatable. Rachana Dixit at InsideHealthPolicy wrote:



Democratic aides and sources off Capitol Hill say conversations about unions’ concerns are ongoing, and they say that the administration is working on regulations to address the issue. But, it is not clear if the proposed Department of Labor rule” would satisfy unions’ concerns.



“Separately, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi [D., Calif.] said to union members earlier this month that she was still working to resolve their concerns about the law, particularly on the Taft-Hartley plan issue,” Dixit wrote.

However, as Roy observes, this “concern” is not exactly an “issue,” but, rather, a matter of union leaders “seeking special treatment, and additional taxpayer subsidies, that other participants in employer-sponsored coverage don’t get.”

As Breitbart News reported Monday, 40,000 longshoremen have now quit the AFL-CIO because of the union’s support of ObamaCare’s confiscatory tax on their “Cadillac” healthcare plans.

In addition, a report from InsideHealthPolicy indicated that leaders of the Teamsters, United Food and Commercial Workers, and Unite HERE unions have slammed the Obama administration because their employees will be unable to access subsidies to purchase coverage for their “Taft-Hartley” multi-employer insurance plans.

In a letter to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) in July, the leaders wrote that ObamaCare will “shatter not only our hard-earned health benefits, but destroy the foundation of the 40 hour work week that is the backbone of the American middle class.”

Roy notes, however, that the text of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is clear: coverage through an employer-sponsored health plan disqualifies subsidized coverage eligibility in a state exchange, “because you already get a subsidy through the tax code,” i.e., enrollees do not pay income or payroll taxes on the value of their health insurance coverage.

He concludes:



If, suddenly, the 20 million people on Taft-Hartley plans were eligible for subsidies, Obamacare’s costs would skyrocket.  If half of those Taft-Hartley enrollees gained $5,000 per year in tax credits along with their tax-free health benefits, we’re talking $50 billion a year in additional insurance subsidies for those individuals. That’s more than half a trillion dollars over ten years, accounting for health inflation.

I would say that it’s inconceivable that the White House would seek to impose such a “fix” to Obamacare without the consent of Congress. But, given the other changes that the administration has made to the health law—of similarly questionable legality—we can’t rule anything out.



 
 
 
  Reported by Breitbart 16 hours ago.

JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com Revealed Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance Policy

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JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com revealed tips for choosing the right insurance policy in the wake of a Deerfield Review article, published on August 30th and titled “How Does Life Insurance Work?”

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 02, 2013

Following Deerfield Review’s August 30th article titled “How Does Life Insurance Work”, JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com offered readers a series of tips for choosing the type and amount of insurance that best suits their needs. The article discusses how life insurance works, and hopes to provide a greater understanding of what a life insurance policy is and what it is used for. Jonas Insurance Advisors picked up where the article left off, helping consumers choose a policy and coverage amount that is right for their wants and needs.

Anne Thompson composed the brief abovementioned article, defining life insurance and its purpose for readers or consumers unfamiliar with the life insurance industry. She began with an overview of what life insurance is: an insurance policy designed to provide for anyone considered a financial dependent after death. Most health insurance companies, before embarking on the development of a policy, will perform routine health and background screenings to gain a better understanding of the insured’s health, stability, and insurance needs. The cost of the policy will typically stem from the results of these tests. Thompson then identifies the two most common forms of life insurance: term life, such as is offered by Maine term life insurance, and whole life. Term life differs from whole life in its inability to accrue cash value, and is set up as a temporary policy (though “temporary” policies can last for 30-40 years). Conversely, whole life policies do accrue a cash value and are considered permanent, provided that the insured maintains payments. Thompson closes with a brief summarization of how to what policy type is needed, encouraging her readers to discuss their options with a financial planner before engaging an insurance agent.

JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com encouraged readers to meet with a financial or insurance advisor in the insurance-seeking process. Before meeting with an advisor, however, take some time to evaluate family needs. If children are a part of the home, consider insuring funds through a term life insurance policy, such as is offered by Maine term life insurance. Consider mortgages, college funds, retirement funds, and total income of both parents. Having these simple calculations on hand will be a benefit to both the insurance agent and the insured, saving both parties time. When searching for an insurance policy, do not be afraid to be picky; life insurance should be tailored to fit the insured’s needs, not the other way around. If a policy is not a good match, walk away. Finally, develop a monthly budget. Before shopping for insurance, have a clear idea of how much money may be allotted for monthly payments. Doing so with provide an insurance agent or advisor with a starting point and will allow policy-seekers to avoid an agent’s attempts to oversell.

Anne Thompson is a regular contributor to the Deerfield Review’s “Weekaway” feature. The Deerfield Review is a publication sponsored by the Chicago Sun Times, providing news to Deerfield, Illinois and the surround area.

Following a Deerfield Review article defining life insurance and its purpose, JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com offered readers tips to purchase life insurance, whether it is Maine term life insurance or Texas whole life. The greatest matter of importance is planning ahead and developing an idea of what is wanted and needed and how much of the monthly income can be devoted to a life insurance policy. Rather than allowing a financial advisor or agent to take the reins in a consultation, JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com strongly encourages consumers to educate themselves regarding their monetary station, life insurance, and what they need from a life insurance policy.

About Jonas Insurance Advisors: JonasInsuranceAdvisors.com is an online resource for consumers seeking up to date news and advice regarding personal finance, insurance, and investments. Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.

PageHamster.com Urges the Consideration of Insurance in the Face of Health Concerns

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PageHamster.com urged readers to consider life insurance, regardless of past medical issues or concerns following an August 27th Fox Business question and answer article, entitled “I’ve Had Lymphoma. Can I Get Life Insurance?”

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 02, 2013

PageHamster.com urged readers to consider the purchase of a life insurance policy, even following serious health concerns. This urging came on the heels of an August 27th Fox Business Q & A article, titled “I’ve Had Lymphoma. Can I Get Life Insurance?” The article’s question involved a man’s troubled medical history and the possibility of finding a company willing to insure someone with adverse health issues. PageHamster.com supported the article’s conclusion: insurance should always be considered, whether it is simple funeral insurance, or Maine term life insurance.

In the aforementioned article, Jack Hungelmann answered a question sent in regarding life insurance and the possibility of purchase after a struggle with cancer. Though the man admitted to having gone into remission two years prior, he was unsure whether he should (or would be able to) purchase life insurance. Hungelmann began his response with an urging to maintain the man’s current whole life policy. Because new term and whole life policies require health screenings, the likelihood of the man being able to acquire an affordable life insurance plan or even any life insurance plan was quite low. Instead, Hungelmann suggested a number of alternatives, including mortgage and credit life insurance, and group term life.

Purchasing life insurance after suffering a health scare can be tricky. Many companies require 5-10 years of ideal health following a major health issue such as cancer before a new insurance policy may be purchased. Those that don’t typically charge astronomical fees. For those seeking insurance in the face of an illness or long-term health concern, from Maine term life insurance to group term insurance, there are numerous alternatives. One such alternative is funeral insurance. Funeral insurance is intended to provide adequate money for the burial and funeral costs after a person’s death. Mortgage life insurance may also be considered. Mortgage insurance is intended to provide a means of paying a mortgage in the event of a household’s income provider’s demise. Similarly, many credit card companies offer credit life insurance, providing money to pay off a card’s balance in the event of the insured’s death. Before despairing at the possibility of being unable to be insured through traditional means, look for local sources of life insurance included those mentioned above.

Jack Hungelmann is a Fox Business writer. His work focuses on the insurance world, including life and health insurance, as well as car and home insurance. He has been composing articles for Fox since August of 2012.

On the heels of a Q & A article on Fox Business, PageHamster.com discussed insurance availability for those with health issues, urging consumers to consider all insurance avenues to ensure peace of mind in the event of a loved one’s death and loss of income. Though traditional life insurance such as Maine term life insurance may be preferable, few companies would be willing to insure an individual following a serious health scare or concern. Until life insurance becomes viable, seek out alternatives to prevent loved ones from suffering monetary hardship after the death of the household’s income generator.

About PageHamster.com:
PageHamster.com is a site devoted to providing individuals with current and accurate news and events regarding personal finances. Reported by PRWeb 14 hours ago.

Census report finds one in five Arizonans have no health insurance coverage

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Roughly one in five Arizonans lacked health insurance in 2011 with the number closer to almost one in four in some counties, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Statewide, 19.6 percent of people under age 65 were uninsured, compared to a national rate of 17.3 percent, Census Bureau numbers found. Arizona had the 13th-highest rate of uninsured, reports the Tucson Sentinel. For the full story, click here. Reported by bizjournals 7 hours ago.

Beware ObamaCare scammers out to steal your personal info

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You must take the initiative to sign up for new health insurance program. Here are tips to avoid getting taken for a ride. Reported by philly.com 4 hours ago.

Sahouri Insurance & Financial Brings Awareness to Individual Life Insurance

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Sahouri Insurance & Financial brings attention to the financial necessity of life insurance with Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM) in September.

McLean, Virginia (PRWEB) September 03, 2013

During the month of September, Sahouri Insurance & Financial aims to increase awareness of the necessity of life insurance and to help facilitate the purchase underwriting process of for life insurance policies. With over forty years of experience with insurance, their advisors are known for their expertise in insuring all areas of life and creating tailored packages to fit specific needs of their clients. Those clients range from individuals to businesses.

“There are many things that a family or household can live without, but life insurance is not one of them. Life insurance not only provides peace of mind for family members, but it is also the corner stone to any solid financial plan,” said Justin Cordelli of Sahouri Insurance & Financial.

A growing number of American households do not own life insurance. According to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA), their 2013 research shows that 30% of U.S. households have no life insurance at all; only 44% have individual life insurance. LIMRA’s research also shows that 58 million Americans say that they need more life insurance.

Sahouri Insurance & Financial fully supports the efforts of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE®) by bringing attention to their “Life Happens” campaign for Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM). The LIFE® organization’s efforts consist of educating Americans on the ownership life insurance, disability, and long-term care insurance. For the month of September, LIFE®, Sahouri Insurance & Financial, and more than a 100 of the country’s leading insurance companies will be sharing the importance of including life insurance in an individual’s financial plans.

###

About Sahouri Insurance & Financial

Since 1970 Sahouri Insurance & Financial has been a full-service insurance agency. The company’s objective is to provide appropriate coverage for all lines of insurance. They create tailored programs for niche markets to ensure that personal, commercial, employee benefits, and life & disability are appropriately covered to decrease financial risks in all areas of life. Their advisors deliver personal attention to their clients, so that all needs are met from individuals to multi-national conglomerates. In addition to providing guidance to their clients, Sahouri has achieved the status as the largest Embassy underwriter in Washington DC. Sahouri earns trust and strength through many niche markets by treating its members with kindness and generosity. In return they have received long-lasting relationships with a client retention rate of 96%. Adhering to their Sahouri Service Promise to put their clients’ best interest first, Sahouri Insurance & Financial provides service with dignity.

Contact:
Sahouri Insurance & Financial
Heather Moore/Marketing Director
8200 Greensboro Drive Suite 1440
McLean,VA 22102
Phone: (703)883-0500
Fax: (703)883-0346
Email: Info@Sahouri.com Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.

Instant Texas Health Insurance and California Health Insurance Quotes Now Available from Ace Health Insurance

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Ace Health Insurance’s instant quote hotline can now provide instant Texas and California health insurance quotes.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) September 03, 2013

The most affordable health insurance California residents can find today when rates are soaring out of sight is available from Ace Health Insurance, who is making it quick and easy to obtain California health insurance quotes on line through its new Insurance Quote Hotline. Ace Health Insurance offers instant California health insurance quotes for the most affordable rates on individual health insurance, family health insurance, group health insurance, maternity health insurance, short-term health insurance, and even dental insurance by calling (800) 497-4010 toll free or by connecting on line at http://www.acehealthca.com.

Contrary to its name, the Affordable Health Care for Americans Act (Obamacare) may ironically make obtaining CA health insurance unaffordable for many as employers continue to cut back work schedules and insurance companies are expected to drastically raise prices, with many already discontinuing to write individual California health insurance policies. The answer for those seeking low cost insurance quotes is Ace Health Insurance, the insurance broker with an unmatched reputation for helping consumers overwhelmed with the nightmare of trying to obtain the most affordable health insurance plans California buyers can receive by putting together plans than fit the individual needs of each customer.

Ace Health Insurance’s Instant Quote Hotline enables buyers to speak with an insurance expert dedicated to negotiating the best possible insurance package to fit the consumer’s needs. Ace Health’s expert representatives take great pride in providing customers with a “different” way of shopping for health care coverage, and they can help buyers find the lowest prices available in a matter of minutes. Insurance buyers can also initiate the instant price quote process by answering a few basic questions online and then receiving a prompt response within 24 hours.

Ace Health Insurance has a tremendous advantage over most insurance companies because it works in conjunction with more than two dozen of the leading insurance providers in the nation rather than being tied to just one provider, which enables its team of insurance professionals to find the best coverage at the lowest rates possible for each individual client and his or her needs and budget.

Ace Health Insurance is far more than a cut-rate insurance broker that simply processes applications and inquiries quickly. The Ace professionals have access to the best health insurance plans in California from providers such as Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Unicare, Foundation Health, PacificCare, Prudential, CIGNA, Kaiser, Methodist Care, Harris Methodist, and several others. In processing applications, Ace Health’s agents survey several providers to put together the best options available anywhere, matching the customer with the carrier that best meets his/her needs and circumstances. Many policies allow buyers to pay with low monthly payments.

Ace Health Insurance is not just the number one name in California health insurance; it also provides low cost Texas health insurance plans. Instant quotes for health insurance in Texas are also available with low cost insurance and coverage custom designed to meet each customer’s needs and budget.

Ace Health Insurance provides affordable coverage for individuals and California and Texas groups of two to 500. With insurance rates changing daily, it is likely they can help acquire insurance coverage at rates that will save money and perhaps increase coverage and benefits over currently held policies for small and large businesses as well as individual policy holders. Ace Health Insurance’s large pool of major national carriers enables its agents to find the most affordable health insurance Texas buyers can obtain for short term coverage plans.

Ace Health Insurance agents are available to provide instant insurance quotations by phone by calling (800) 497-4010 or by answering inquiries faxed to (877) 901-5522. Direct emails inquiries can be sent to acehealth@earthlink.net, and complete information regarding rates and services and requests for quotes can be obtained on line at http://www.acehealthca.com. Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.

Interdean Reviews Proposal to Charge Overseas Students NHS Levy

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The team at Interdean have shared their thoughts on the prospect of universities "bulk buying" annual £200 health levies for international Students.

(PRWEB UK) 3 September 2013

It has been reported in Times Higher Education that the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), is behind the proposal. It comes as the government is discussing plans to make immigrants pay an annual fee to cover their use of the NHS. However, the decision has already attracted concern amidst claims that foreign governments currently paying for students to study in the UK might be put off by the legislation. It has been suggested that students could avoid having to pay the levy with private health insurance. The consultation is set to close on 28th August.

Offering a wide range of moving services for students, Interdean is best known for its student roadfreight services, storage, shipping and airfreight. Dedicated to keeping on top of the latest updates and developments within the indinterdean ustry, the team were interested to explore the recent news and how it may affect their clients. A representative shares their thoughts.

"Whilst the majority of international students are likely to be young and healthy, it is concerning to think that students may avoid seeking medical care because of the cost involved. Whatever is decided, it is important that this is made clear to those concerned. Health care is one of the most important factors for many students in choosing overseas universities and in fact for anyone moving overseas."

The specialists at Interdean look forward to following the progress of this story.

Thinking of Moving? Think Interdean

Interdean helps families, expats, backpackers, travellers and students moving overseas. Established in 1958, Interdean provides moving, long and short term storage, shipping air freight, excess baggage, visa and immigration, and full relocation services to worldwide destinations. Interdean is FIDI FAIM PLUS accredited and has over 123 offices worldwide.

We make it easy. Reported by PRWeb 3 hours ago.

6 Tips to Help 30-Somethings Manage Health Care Costs

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6 Tips to Help 30-Somethings Manage Health Care Costs Filed under: Health Care, Insurance, Personal Finance, Health Insurance, Planning

*Getty Images*

When you're in your 30s, managing your health care costs may not be a major consideration. After all, you're likely to still be in good health, and you may have other pressing needs or wants, such as buying a home.

Still, it's worth spending a little time thinking about how to secure good care for yourself while not spending anymore than you need to. You may end up saving money that can go toward that down payment.

Here are a few tips to consider:

*1.* If you're in good health and make minimal use of medical services, you might opt for a health insurance plan with a high deductible. That can considerably lower the cost of the plan.

*2.* Set up an HSA or FSA. Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts are tax-sheltered accounts, permitting you to sock away money on a pretax basis to spend on certain qualified kinds of expenses, such as medical costs. To take advantage of HSAs, you need a high-deductible insurance plan, but for an FSA, you don't. Expenses that qualify with FSAs include doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospital stays, along with eye exams and glasses or contact lenses. (Gym memberships, nutritional supplements or a face lift generally won't qualify.)Sponsored Links
For 2013, most of us are limited to $2,500 a year in our FSA accounts, though there are some ways around that. Sums in the account are forfeited if not spent in time, though that rule might be amended in the future. Until then, though, plan carefully and fund the account with perhaps 20 percent less than you think you'll spend in the year, just to be safe. (With HSAs, money you don't spend in one year rolls over to the next.)

*3.* When you're prescribed any medication, ask about less expensive alternatives. There may be a much cheaper generic version of the same drug, or a different (but also effective) drug treating the same condition that's less costly. Shop around with pharmacies, too, as costs can vary widely between them.

*4.* At your workplace, make the most of wellness programs available to you. They're often win-win propositions, helping employers lower healthcare costs, while helping workers get healthier and perhaps even save money. According to the National Business Group on Health, more than 40 percent of large companies offer workers incentives to participate in wellness programs, with those incentives averaging nearly $400. These programs address smoking cessation, weight loss and stress reduction, among other issues.

*5.* Learn what to expect under "Obamacare." The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has a lot to offer most Americans, including those who aren't yet sick. If you're among the millions of Americans who work for employers who don't offer health insurance, under Obamacare you'll be able to buy insurance for yourself. You may also qualify for subsidies to help you afford it, if necessary. If you're unlucky enough to have some pre-existing condition (such as diabetes, heart issues, or high blood pressure), insurers will no longer be able to use that to raise premiums on you or, worse, deny you coverage. Overall, healthcare costs for many people are expected to fall.

*6.* Get and stay healthy. While you can't completely control your health, there's still a lot you can do to stay as healthy as possible. For example, exercise, eat healthful foods, get regular checkups and preventative care, and avoid bad habits such as smoking. Don't neglect important screenings, as some dangerous conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can start in your 30s. If there are diseases or conditions in your family history such as cancer, be sure you and your doctor keep those in mind, too. Taking care of yourself like this can set you up for a longer life, and can save you a lot in healthcare costs along the way, too.

Don't take your health for granted, and don't assume that you needn't plan for your health needs if you're still young and healthy. You can save a lot of money, headaches, and even heartaches by managing your health care well.

You can follow Motley Fool contributor Selena Maranjian on Twitter.

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Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Reported by DailyFinance 1 hour ago.

Open Enrollment For Healthcare Reform Summit In Philadelphia

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Open enrollment on October 1, 2013. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. What is the Health Insurance Marketplace offered by the Goverment and can it help you?
Marketplaces are a new way to find health coverage to meet your needs. Apparently with one application, you can explore all your options and even enroll. With the Health Insurance Marketplace, youll see all of the health plans available in your area to which will enable you to compare costs and monthly premiums for private insurance plans.Appling for Marketplace coverage is available three different ways: online, mail, or in-person. Telephone help and online chat will be available 24/7 to help you complete your application. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. Coverage may start as soon as January 1, 2014.

Important: Insurance plans in the Marketplace are offered by private companies. Under the law plans cant turn you away or charge you more because you have an illness or medical condition. They must cover treatments for these conditions. Plans cant discriminate or charge women more than men. Market Places are slated to be available in each state. A Marketplace is run by either your state or the federal government. Therefore information will be available through each states website.Ideally, the Marketplace will simplify searches for health coverage by making the options available in one place for your area.

ABOUT UNDERSTANDEXPO.COM

2013 Philadelphia Healthcare Reform Expo & Summit will be a historic meeting of providers, public servants and private industry. A percentage of the proceeds from the Summit will be donated to the community.  The Healthcare Expo is formulated to educate individuals, employees, businesses and healthcare professionals about the Patient Accountability and Affordable Care Act.  The following professionals will be participating: Healthcare Professionals - Physicians, Care Providers & Administrators;  Top-level researchers & members of the scientific community;  Pharmaceutical executives and representatives and executives and representatives from the health care system.We hope to open ongoing dialogue that will bridge the divide between the perceptions and realities that will soon impact healthcare, a situation complicated by social-economic and environmental factors. While employer mandate may have been delayed , other changes under the Patient Accountability and Affordable Care Act could be critical to your understanding. The mission of the Summit is to provide a venue for forming partnerships that will actively inform and change health behaviors from reactive to proactive and move healthcare delivery from acute to preventative. The Summit will focus on understanding the new laws and how each demographic can make the best decisions on managing healthcare costs.Company Contact Information
SEO Samba
Press
2140 S Dupont Highway
Camden
19934
(877) 450.9894

News and Press Release Distribution From I-Newswire.com Reported by i-Newswire.com 22 hours ago.

Another Obamacare Unintended Consequence: 21 States Ban Insurers From Covering Abortion

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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's health care reform law may bring new benefits and coverage to women. But Obamacare has also unintentionally provoked a slew of new restrictions on insurance coverage of abortion.

Since Obama signed his health care plan into law in 2010, 21 states have enacted laws restricting private insurance companies from covering abortion, and more may follow. The result is that women in 23 states won't be able to go to an Obamacare insurance exchange and buy a health plan that includes coverage of abortion, except under extreme circumstances.

State legislatures from Alabama to Pennsylvania to Wisconsin dusted off the anti-abortion playbook of the 1980s to pass laws that prohibit health insurance companies from including abortion as a covered service, beyond exceptions such as protecting a pregnant woman's life. In some states, women theoretically are permitted to buy separate coverage for abortion, but abortion rights activists say such plans are impossible to find.

The trend that swept state capitals over the past three years has been fanned by an anti-abortion movement reinvigorated by the tea party wave during 2010 elections, when Republicans made huge gains in state legislatures, governors' offices and Congress. These insurance regulations take effect after many states have imposed unprecedented restrictions on access to abortion itself that have closed clinics across America.

"What they're trying to do make abortion more difficult to access and unaffordable for women, and this is one of the ways they can do that," said Gretchen Borchelt, director of state reproductive health policy at the National Women's Law Center in Washington. "It's part and parcel of the larger effort to make abortion harder for women to get."

But the new laws on health insurance wouldn't have happened without the passage of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, and the intense Republican opposition to the law, advocates on both sides of the abortion issue say.

National Women's Law Center
"As soon as the ink was dry on the ACA, states started passing laws limiting abortion coverage on the exchanges," said Elizabeth Nash, state issues manager at the Guttmacher Institute, a New York-based research and advocacy organization focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. "You don't have over 20 states passing laws on an issue and not have it be considered a major trend," she said.

"Many of these states were hostile to the Affordable Care Act in general. They are unsupportive of abortion rights. And put those two issues together and it's easy to pass an abortion coverage restriction for the health exchanges," Nash said. "In the language of the ACA, it encouraged states to adopt abortion coverage restrictions in the exchanges, so with that, it made it easier for states to do so."

The Obamacare fight in Congress sparked interest among abortion opponents in regulating health insurance, Mary Harned, staff counsel for the Washington-based anti-abortion group Americans United for Life, told the Huffington Post.

"The 2009-2010 health care reform debate raised awareness among Americans that a large number of private insurance plans -– maybe even their own -– cover abortions," Harned wrote in an email. "Many pro-life Americans, along with state legislators, are now seeking a way to prohibit insurance coverage of most abortions in their states."

The abortion coverage laws fit another pattern: Republican-led states have sought to stymie the implementation of Obamacare in myriad ways, from refusing to expand Medicaid to more poor people to declining to establish health insurance exchanges, to advancing laws seeking to undercut its consumer protections and suppress enrollment.

Abortion-rights advocates were furious when Obama and congressional Democratic leaders made concessions to anti-abortion Democratics, led by then-Rep. Bart Stupak (Mich.) and then-Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), to secure their crucial votes for the health care reform bill in 2010. The Affordable Care Act extends previous laws prohibiting federal tax dollars from paying for abortions and spells out that states are permitted to ban private health insurance from covering abortion, either on the law's health insurance exchanges or anywhere else.

States already had that authority. But before the enactment of Obamacare, only five states had laws restricting insurance coverage of abortion: Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, North Dakota and Oklahoma, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. "This issue had been dead since the '80s at the state level," Nash said.

Since 2010, Idaho, Missouri and Oklahoma passed additional laws and 18 states enacted new ones. Some states forbid all private health insurance companies from covering abortion, while others limit the rule to health plans sold on insurance exchanges. The exchanges, which begin accepting enrollment Oct. 1, are where people who don't get job-based health benefits and small firms will comparison-shop for coverage and learn whether they qualify for financial assistance.

In the remaining states, health insurance plans that cover abortion are likely to be available. Abortion-rights advocates say most health insurance today already covers elective abortion, and a Huffington Post review of the health insurance exchanges suggests that won't change under Obamacare.

Thirty-three percent of women who had abortions in 2008 were uninsured, 30 percent had private health insurance and 31 percent were enrolled in Medicaid, according to a 2010 Guttmacher Institute report. Nevertheless, 57 percent of these women paid for their abortions out of pocket, including 63 percent of those with private insurance. Women with insurance coverage pay for abortions for several reasons, including having plans that won't cover it, not knowing what their insurance benefits are, or wanting to keep an abortion secret from family members, Nash said.

Women in California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state will have access to health plans to cover abortion, officials from those states told HuffPost.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is running at least parts of the exchanges in 34 states, including some where abortion coverage is lawful. HHS hasn't yet announced what insurance products will be available on those marketplaces and couldn't say whether abortion will be covered. Likewise, officials in Colorado, and Minnesota couldn't provide the information. A spokesman for the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange didn't respond to requests for comment.

The health care reform law extends 1977 Hyde Amendment prohibitions against federal dollars being spent on abortions except for limited cases like when a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or when the woman's life is in jeopardy. These rules also apply to Medicaid, although 17 states have broader exceptions and fund all or most medically necessary abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Women may still purchase health plans that cover abortion, but there must be an additional charge of at least $1 a month, and a woman can't apply federal tax credits to the abortion benefit. Those credits are available for people earning between the federal poverty level, which is $11,490 for a single person this year, and four times that amount. Insurance companies have to keep the money "segregated" in separate accounts when they collect premiums.

The Affordable Care Act also bans states from designating elective abortion as a guaranteed benefit in insurance sold on the exchanges and requires that at least one insurance product in each state explicitly not cover abortion. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which oversees federal employee benefits, is responsible for designating multi-state plans that will be sold in numerous exchanges and must choose one that doesn't cover abortions. The Office of Personnel Management hasn't yet selected the insurance companies.

Anti-abortion advocates weren't satisfied with the law's safeguards against tax money financing abortions and contend that separating tax dollars and individual dollars isn't possible. Moreover, Harned wrote, anti-abortion activists don't want health insurance to cover abortion because they believe it encourages more women to undergo the procedure. "It is an accepted principle of economics and public policy that when you subsidize or pay for a service or product, you increase demand for that service or product," she wrote.

Women who want to make sure abortion is a covered service -- or want to be certain that it isn't -- will have to look at the fine print when choosing a health plan, but won't need to worry about the complex movement of money behind the scenes, Borchelt said.

"It's not wraparound coverage. It's not supplemental coverage. It is just part of the regular, comprehensive plan that's being offered, so it's just the way insurance works now," Borchelt said. "We used to talk about it as being two checks that the consumer would have to write because of the segregation requirements, but that's not the way it's being implemented."

In states like Pennsylvania and Missouri, however, the situation is more complicated. These and other states allow women to buy a "rider," or supplemental insurance plan, solely to cover abortion. The trouble is, abortion-rights advocates say, these insurance products don't seem to exist.

"We haven't been able to ascertain if health plans are actually offering these riders," Borchelt said. "My sense has also been that health plans also don't know that riders are supposed to be offered or available." And women aren't likely to know they should ask, and generally don't consider abortion coverage to be a main determinant of what health insurance they choose.

"Abortion should just be part of the comprehensive plan that women get because they don't necessarily look for that or think, 'Oh, I might need an abortion,'" Borchelt said. "They're not going to ever predict a situation in which they're going to have an unplanned pregnancy or a problem pregnancy or a sexual assault leading to pregnancy. It's not something that you plan for." Reported by Huffington Post 21 hours ago.

Wendell Potter: Rate Shock: The Scare That Wouldn't Stick

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It's been a while since you've seen a lot of stories in the media about Obamacare "rate shock," hasn't it?

"Rate shock" stories were all the rage several months ago, like this one from Forbes last December: "Aetna CEO (Mark) Bertolini: Get ready for 'Rate Shock' as Some Insurance Premiums to Double in 2014."

Health insurance executives were hoping we'd swallow their scare campaign on rates, and thus get behind efforts by their friends in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Many of those friends, like Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., are members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which sent out a press release on March 14 with the headline: "Obamacare Oversight: The Looming Premium Rate Shock."

The next day, that committee held a hearing entitled: "Unaffordable: Impact of Obamacare on America's Health Insurance." During that hearing, at which I testified, Blackburn read a long list of what she claimed were names of businesses in her district that had experienced Obamacare rate shock.

Skeptical, I sent Rep. Blackburn a letter asking if I could see those letters and help her determine if Obamacare was really the blame or if, possibly, and more likely, those businesses' insurance carriers were just gouging them. Five and a half months later, I'm still waiting on a response. Even though I'm from Tennessee too.

Since that hearing, the headlines have diminished because there's little evidence that the "rate shock" allegations were based on anything other than assertions made by insurance company CEOs and lobbyists and their buddies on Capitol Hill.

The number of rate shock stories declined as state after state disclosed over the summer what insurance companies will actually charge for policies next year. Those disclosures have shown that not only will premiums not skyrocket when Obamacare's most important consumer protections kick in on January 1, most Americans who buy coverage on their states' online marketplaces will get better deals than they can today.

A study published last week by the Rand Corporation, a research group, is also helping to show that the rate shock hype was just that: hype.

Rand researchers said that although prices will vary from state to state, Obamacare will not increase premiums overall. Yes, some people, smokers in particular and folks enrolled in policies with benefits so meager they will be outlawed next year, will have to pay more. But most Americans who will be buying coverage in the marketplaces (also known as exchanges) will be eligible for tax credits that will make their coverage more affordable and, in many cases, cheaper than what is available today. Don't expect a press release from the House Energy and Commerce Committee about that.

Another study released earlier this month also indicated that Obamacare has not been the cause of recent rate increases. The Kaiser Family Foundation's annual survey of employer-based insurance showed that over the past year, premiums for family coverage increased just 4 percent. While 4 percent is still a hefty increase for many workers, it's far less than the double-digit increases that were common in previous years.

So what happened to the rate shock scare?

Politicians and the media were all too willing to repeat what CEOs of big for-profit insurance corporations were saying without analyzing their motives or taking into account the fact that the marketplaces will force real competition in the health insurance world.

What the insurance company executives were actually "disclosing" several months back was what they would like to charge for their policies on the marketplaces, not what they actually would be able to charge. Aetna, for example, might have liked to be able to charge $500 a month for a certain policy but it won't because its competitors will charge less than that for the exact same coverage.

We've already seen in Oregon and other states that insurers have been resubmitting lower prices for policies after seeing what their competitors' price plans are.

I predict that beginning Oct. 1, when the marketplaces go online, most people will discover that because of the new level of competition and the availability of tax credits, affordable coverage will actually at long last be available. To save face, though, you can also expect those politicians who have been crying "rate shock" to search high and low for constituents who believe their policies have grown more expensive because of Obamacare. And, like Rep. Blackburn did last March, some of those politicians will read the entire list of those constituents in a Congressional hearing. Reported by Huffington Post 21 hours ago.

Experient Health Provides Ways to Remain Injury Free While Exercising in Latest Edition in Living Well Blog Series

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Warm up, cool down and stretch top Experient Health’s list of guidance.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) September 03, 2013

Combat stress, lose weight and boost energy by exercising.

But to get the most out of your workouts, and ensure you remain injury free so you can keep working out, Experient Health recommends adding warm ups, cool downs and stretches to your routine, according to the latest post in the Living Well Blog series it launched this month on its web site.

“Warming up allows your body time to adjust from rest to activity,” Experient Health reported. “It increases blood flow to the muscles so they stretch easily, reducing the risk of torn muscles. It also lubricates joints, which reduces friction and wear, and carries oxygen to the heart.”

Experient Health recommends warming up with movements that are similar to the ones you will perform in your workout. Heading out for a run? Start with a brisk walk.

Then, cool down after the work out.

“Do not skip this step,” Experient Health said. “Without a cool-down period of at least 10 minutes, blood stays in the worked muscles without returning to the heart, which may cause you to become dizzy, nauseated or even to pass out.”

After cooling down, stretching helps to build flexibility and range of motion.

“Work specific parts of your body, maintaining each stretch for 20 to 60 seconds,” according to Experient Health. “Never force a joint beyond its normal range of motion.”

Experient Health’s Living Well Blog series covers topics ranging from healthy recipes, conservation, vaccination seasons, exercise tips, healthcare news and more.

ABOUT EXPERIENT HEALTH:

For years, Experient Health, a Virginia Farm Bureau company, has helped people find the right insurance coverage and get the most for their health care dollars. The Richmond, Va.-based group is dedicated to providing high quality health insurance options to customers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. As a result, its consultants, with an average of more than 20 years experience, are intimately familiar with the states’ provider networks, products and regulations.

Representing the top national insurance carriers, Experient Health provides customers with multiple policy options designed to meet wellness needs and financial requirements.

Experient Health grew out of Virginia Farm Bureau and is a “hometown agency” in that it operates a network of more than 100 offices. However, it boasts the resources and technology of larger firms.

Consultants are available online, via phone and through their offices.

Learn more at http://www.experienthealth.com, utilize the online health insurance quote calculator or contact a consultant directly at 855.677.6580. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

Washington state health insurance hotline goes live

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Washington residents can get help right now, sorting through dozens of new health insurance options. Reported by MyNorthwest.com 20 hours ago.

Hispanics most likely to go without health insurance

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Hispanics are less likely to be covered by health insurance in every state in the union, according to new figures released late last week by the Census Bureau.

The figures show more than 30 percent of Hispanics under the age of 65 are uninsured in 28 states, far higher than the rates of uninsured African Americans and whites.

Read full article >>
 
 
 
  Reported by Washington Post 19 hours ago.

Member-governed, not-for-profit Kentucky Health Cooperative to revolutionize health insurance

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Member-governed, not-for-profit Kentucky Health Cooperative to revolutionize health insurance Open enrollment starts Oct. 1 LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A revolutionary new model for health insurance has arrived in Kentucky. There has never been anything like Kentucky Health Cooperative, Inc., an all-new, nonprofit health insurance provider... Reported by PR Newswire 18 hours ago.

Compareclinic.com and Cooper, Claridge-Ware Form Partnership

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Healthcare information and community website, Compareclinic.com, and leading Hong Kong based insurance broker, Cooper Claridge-Ware Limited, are pleased to announce the formation of a comprehensive digital partnership in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong (PRWEB) September 03, 2013

Healthcare information and community website, Compareclinic.com, and leading Hong Kong based insurance broker, Cooper Claridge-Ware Limited, are pleased to announce the formation of a comprehensive digital partnership in Hong Kong.

Compareclinic.com has been designed to provide health tips and connect people with trusted healthcare services. Fully launched in Singapore, the site is now starting to be developed for the use of the Hong Kong public and is intended to facilitate the process of identifying and obtaining the best healthcare services possible.

Cooper Claridge-Ware will be assisting Compareclinic.com in the development of its Hong Kong operations by providing in-depth advice and expert content on all of the healthcare and health insurance issues currently facing the Hong Kong public. Cooper Claridge-Ware will be joined by a panel of healthcare experts within an array of specialties, assembled by Comparceclinic.com from around the world, to offer clarity into a range of pressing topics.

Michael Lamb, Marketing Director for Cooper Claridge-Ware said of the partnership, “We are thrilled to be working with Compareclinic.com to help make identifying and accessing suitable healthcare solutions much easier in Hong Kong. Compareclinic.com is unique in Asia as it has been designed to both simplify healthcare, while empowering consumers to make smarter choices with their medical needs. The site is a fantastic tool and has the promise to completely change the way consumers view healthcare.”

Adding to this Virginia Chan, Director of Compareclinic.com went on to state, “The partnership is exciting because it strengthens our ability to help people live a healthy and happy life. With leading health insurance experts on our advisory panel, we are in a much better position to help our users make better decisions about their health.”

Cooper Claridge-Ware is an expert Hong Kong Insurance broker offering a diverse range of coverage options within the territory. Working with Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and General Insurance products, Cooper, Claridge-Ware was established to help simplify the process of obtaining high-quality protection in Hong Kong whilst maintaining superior levels of customer service and transparency.

Working with Compareclinic.com to provide in-depth insurance advice and analysis, Cooper Claridge-Ware is continuing the creation of unique partnership networks for the benefit of all insurance consumers in Hong Kong. Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.

Baltimore Ravens to Promote Obamacare in Maryland

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The Baltimore Ravens will partner with the Obama administration to help implement Obamacare in Maryland, the Maryland health department announced on Tuesday.

According to The Hill, this is the "first official partnership formed with a sports franchise to encourage participation in President Obama's signature healthcare law."

The White House had sought Obamcare partnerships with the NBA and NFL, but "both leagues backed away under pressure from congressional Republicans."

The Obama administration believes the law will only succeed if healthy young men buy into the program, and that demographic watches sports, especially football. 

"The partnership will provide Maryland Health Connection with the opportunity to reach and engage fans while making them aware of the new opportunity they have for health coverage beginning this fall through the health insurance marketplace," the state's health department said in a statement.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat who will most likely run for president in 2016, wants to successfully implement the law in his state to solidify his resume. The Ravens have partnered with the state in the past to promote Medicaid programs. In 2006, the Boston Red Sox partnered with Massachusetts to promote its healthcare law, which was a precursor to Obamacare.

According to Maryland's health department, "71 percent of uninsured people in the state watched, attended or listened to a Ravens game in the past year."

The Ravens are the defending Super Bowl champions, and they will open the NFL regular season on Thursday at Denver. 

 
 
 
  Reported by Breitbart 7 hours ago.

Rubio: Ad Blitz for Obamacare "blatant misuse" of tax dollars

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Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., blasted the Obama administration for a proposed $8.7 million TV ad campaign to plug Obamacare and encourage people to enroll in new health insurance options, The Hill reported Tuesday. Rubio called the pricey blitz a "blatant misuse of... Reported by Newsmax 7 hours ago.

Interactive Map: In 13 States Plus D.C., Obamacare Will Increase Individual Health Premiums By An Average Of 24%

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Obamacare makes many significant changes to the U.S. health-care system, but one category of change stands out above all others: the degree to which the law reshapes the market for individually-purchased health insurance. Will the “Affordable Care Act” live up to its name and make health insurance less expensive? To help the public understand the impact of Obamacare on individual-market premiums, my Manhattan Institute colleagues and I have crunched the numbers and created an interactive, state-by-state map, where you can find out how Obamacare affects insurance rates where you live. The results may surprise you. Reported by Forbes.com 7 hours ago.
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