Now that Democrats have control of America, they are not wasting any time introducing health care legislation.
Universal coverage plan introduced by Baucus
Sen. Baucus of Montana has introduced a plan for universal coverage that would be built on the current system. Employer-sponsored insurance would still play a big part, but it would start requiring employers to [...]
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a political commentary. My own political philosophy has become an apolitcal one over the years. Somehow, we manage to survive no matter who is in the White House. So long as there is enough tension in the Congress, nothing too wild and wacky is [...]
Oops. Looks like we left a sponge in his abdomen. Maybe that’s what is causing his post-surgical reaction.
You think? Maybe?
Under a new federal Medicare rule, hospitals will now have to pay to clean up their own mistakes. Although implemented on a baby-step basis, it’s a (baby) step in the right direction.
Here’s the link to the [...]
Everyone is getting on board with high deductible plans.
A new survey reports 18% of workers carrying high deductibles this year, compard to 12% last year, a whopping 50% increase year-to-year.
In Georgia, employers and employees are actively encouraged to participate in high deductible plans by the Legislature, which earlier this year passed legislation to do just [...]
According to recent reports, employees are paying an average of $3,354 in premiums for family coverage, more than double the amount they paid in 1999. The total cost for family coverage now averages $12,680 a year, up 5 percent from 2007. Needless to say, these costs are making it more and more difficult for the [...]
Several LA county hospitals are being accused of massive Medicare fraud by recruiting homeless people and having them admitted with fake health conditions, solely for the purpose of milking Medicare.
Read the article from the LA Times here
COMMENT:
My only concern with this story is that the investigation was begun a couple of years ago by Rocky [...]
Although not directly related to health savings accounts, the focus of this blog, international patient dumping is a fast-growing phenomenon that does have a direct impact on the cost of healthcare for everyone.
As this article from the Seattle Times illustrates, American hospitals have an ethical duty to care for everyone, including uninsured illegals. But [...]
The House, strong-armed by bozo-deluxe Pete Stark (D-CA) has passed a bill mandating confirmation of virtually all HSA eligible withdrawals. The measure is being strongly pushed by Bob Patricelli, a CT businessman who owns a patent on bookkeeping software that coincidentally stands to make a bundle should this bill pass.
This is a hot topic [...]
According to this story in the New York Times, obesity and even moderate overweight conditions led to a 27% increase in group health plan premiums.
Read the story here
COMMENT:
If employers are directly being surcharged for their employee’s health conditions, shouldn’t they have a right to pick and choose employees based on their health status?
Blue Cross of Utah, a/k/a Regence, has been accused of improperly rescinding coverage on individual health plans.
Read the story from the Salt Lake Tribune
COMMENT:
This is but one of several such stories in the news from major insurers retroactively canceling coverage. Perhaps the days of this shoddy practice are nearing their end.
