Posts by Author - Lenneice

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Some States Plan to Sue Over Health Care Bill

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

President Obama has signed the healthcare overahaul, but another hurdle lies ahead for it– litigation. Attorneys general in at least 12 states are preparing to challenge its constitutionality. One of them is Ken Cuccinelli, whose attorney general of Virginia.

Cuccinelli says the General Assembly of Virginia this year passed a statute that protects Virginia citizens from being mandated to buy health insurance. It passed on a bipartisan basis. And, of course, the federal health-care bill has a mandate to do just that. There’s a conflict between those laws. And while normally the supremacy clause leaves federal laws trumping, not when they are unconstitutional. And it is our position that the individual mandate is unconstitutionally overbroad under the commerce clause, that the Congress doesn’t have the power to impose this on individuals.

Experts believe it will be very unlikely for the Supreme Court to vote in favor of States because there are already mandates from Washington that we have to comply with medical insurance would just add another law to the list.

Cuccinelli and others argue those mandates are taxes and the healthcare penalty is a fine. They believe you can’t force people to buy a product from another.

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What will happen in 2014 with Health Bill

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

(Image: Zef Delgadillo under CC 3.0)

The sweeping healthcare bill is going to impact nearly all Americans. Some changes will take effect immediately, others will happen in 2014. Here are highlights of provisions that won’t impact people right away.

Health Insurance Exchanges will be created to make it easier for small businesses, uninsured and self employed to buy affordable health insurance. Once the insurance exchanges open health insurance companies will no longer be able to charge hike up the prices of premiums or deny sick people coverage.

Mandated Coverage will be implemented if the Senate approves the bill. Those who don’t get health insurance by 2014 will face a fine of $95 or 1 percent of their income whichever one is higher. The plan however exempts poorer families, and subsidies will be provided to families in need.

Medicaid Expansion will go into effect and will help childless adults living near poverty.

Tax breaks will be provided to families for healthcare depending on their annual income.

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Posted in Healthy Living | 2 Comments »

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What the Health Bill Means for Young Adults

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

(Image: Zef Delgadillo under CC 3.0)

People between ages 19 and 29 are more likely to be uninsured than most other groups. Young adults are also more likely to visit the Emergency Room than many other groups. No one should start out their adult life under a mountain of medical bills. Even a basic individual health insurance plan will limit exposure to unexpected medical costs. Individual health insurance plans for adults ages 18-24 can be as low as $100/month, or less. A health plan can save you thousands of dollars in the event you need emergency care.

What’s more, the health bill extends specific provisions that reach out to young adults. Effective immediately, the legislation allows those through age 26 who do not have medical insurance to remain on their parents’ policies at their parents’ discretion. Currently, states regulate the age at which children are kicked off their parents’ insurance policies. Generally, it’s around 18 years old. Plans will be much more affordable for young adults under the new bill.

There is also immediate help for uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions. This applies to young adults and all other Americans. The health bill includes a $5 billion fund to finance an immediate, temporary insurance program for those who are uninsurable because of pre-existing conditions.

If you need help finding coverage, health insurance agents will help you compare the costs of various plans at no additional charge.

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Posted in Healthy Living | 1 Comment »

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4 Reasons Not to Wait any Longer for Health Insurance

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

(Image: Zef Delgadillo under CC 3.0)

1. Pre-existing Conditions Protection If you are refused coverage because of your health, you can get medical insurance from a new high-risk pool. The pool will be established within six months and will operate until 2014, when insurance companies can no longer refuse applicants with pre-existing health problems. Annual out-of-pocket medical costs will be capped at $5,950 for individuals and $11,900 for families.

2. Healthcare is Pricey Healthcare is more expensive when you are uninsured. Medical services are double the cost when you don’t have coverage. Those without insurance are usually charged full price because they don’t qualify for discounts others receive under good health insurance plans.

3. Uninsured Risks Often times, uninsured individuals end up in financial debt due to outstanding medical cost. In fact, medical bills are a leading cause of personal bankruptcy among Americans. The reality is you never know when a medical emergency will happen to you or a loved one, but having health coverage will reduce the chances of crippling medical costs.

4. Youth offers no protection Young adults tend to go without health insurance believing that coverage is just for seniors or sick people. However, persons between the ages of 19 and 29 are more likely to visit the emergency room because they don’t have health insurance. No one should start out their adult life with a mountain of medical bills.

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Posted in Healthy Living | No Comments »

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What does the Healthcare Bill Change Now?

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

The healthcare bill has passed after more than a year of debate and negotiations. Some of the provisions will go into affect immediately. So what does the passage mean for both uninsured and insured Americans? Here is a look at some of the major changes.

  • Seniors will get help paying for prescription drugs.
  • Individuals with income of $200,000 or more and families with a combined income of $250,000 or higher will see an increase in taxes.
  • If you already have health coverage, within six months, the plans will have to stop setting lifetime limits on coverage and canceling policy holders who get sick.
  • Insurers will also have to allow children to stay on their parents’ policies through age 26 and cover children with pre-existing conditions, but can still deny adults with medical problems until 2014.
  • By 2014, most Americans would be required to purchase health insurance or face penalties.
  • Small businesses and the uninsured would have the option of shopping for coverage in medical insurance exchanges, a marketplace in which people would be able shop for and compare insurance plans. Those exchanges would be implemented in 2014.
  • The bill greatly expands Medicaid and subsidies to the poor. Insurance companies would not be able to place lifetime caps or deny coverage to patients based on pre-existing conditions.

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    Posted in Reform & Regulation | No Comments »

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    Poorer Girls Dying of Preventable Cancer

    Friday, March 19th, 2010

    (Image: Zef Delgadillo under CC 3.0)

    Poorer girls are not getting a vaccine that would save their lives because they can’t afford it.

    Mississippi and Arkansas, two of the nation’s poorest states, also have the highest death rates from cervical cancer. The reason is many girls who live in both states don’t have affordable medical insurance, and as a result don’t receive health screenings, and basic care.

    The cancer prevention vaccine, Gardasil, is administered a lot more frequently in wealthier states, and the impact is quite evident. In the wealthier state of Rhode Island, cervical cancer mortality is half as high as in Mississippi and Arkansas, 55% of girls received Gardasil.

    The only hope for improving such inequalities is in the government. Congressional leaders are slated to vote on a health bill this weekend. If passed, the government will cover the cost of insurance for millions of people without good health coverage.

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    Posted in Healthy Living | No Comments »

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    Health Bill will Pay for Itself?

    Friday, March 19th, 2010

    (Image: Zef Delgadillo under CC 3.0)

    Democrats are elated about the financial report released by the Congressional Budget Office. It estimated the health bill would reduce projected federal budget deficits by $138 billion over the next decade, with additional tax revenue and Medicare savings.

    The report is already helping move the legislation forward. Representative Bart Gordon and Representative Betsy Markey had a change of heart on the healthcare bill. Both Democrats cited the budget report as the deciding factor. Many Senators had expressed concern about the cost of the health bill and were convinced the country just couldn’t afford it.

    White House officials are now touting the budget report which they say proves the health care plan will not only save lives, but will also pay for itself in the long run.

    The federal government would spend $940 billion over the next 10 years to provide medical coverage to 32 million people who would otherwise be uninsured. More low income individuals will be covered and other families will receive subsidies on behalf of the government to purchase health insurance.

    President Obama still needs the support of about six more Democrats to reach the 216 votes needed to pass the affordable health insurance bill. Senators are slated to vote on the health bill this weekend.

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    Posted in Reform & Regulation | No Comments »

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    Do you want a Presidential Physical?

    Thursday, March 18th, 2010

    (Image: Zef Delgadillo under CC 3.0)

    President Obama had a pretty thorough physical back in February– some say too thorough. And with all the talk over healthcare spending many are wondering just what the President’s included.

    The president received two top-of-the-line, high-tech tests, CT scans of his colon and his coronary arteries, you most likely won’t be getting when you show up at your doctor’s office this year.

    Neither of these tests are part of a regular annual physical so health insurance companies probably won’t cover the costs.

    Some doctors are encouraging more Americans to have the tests, saying they have caught heart disease and colon cancer at early stages. However, other doctors disagree and feel Mr.Obama’s testings fall into the American belief that more healthcare is always better. Such physicians say having the tests are costly and also expose patients to unnecessary radiation.

    If you still want the President’s physical, it will cost you a pretty penny even if you have medical insurance. Facilities such as the Cooper Clinic, Scripps Health in San Diego, and the Cleveland Clinic offer “executive physicals” for $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the extent of the exam.

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    Posted in Issues and Opinion | No Comments »

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    Repubicans Plan to Repeal Health Bill

    Thursday, March 18th, 2010

    The health bill is no sure bet yet. White House officials are still trying to get a handful of needed votes to pass the bill. But dozens of Republicans have already signed a pledge to repeal the bill should GOP take control of either House or Congress after this falls election.

    Democrats managed to gain support from Rep. Dennis Kucinich; the liberal lawmaker had first opposed the bill because it didn’t include a pubic option. He had a change of heart and agreed to the President’s notion that the health bill was just the beginning of a slew of changes to come.

    To start with, President Obama’s plan will immediately provide access to health insurance coverage for nearly all Americans and prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to the sick.

    Republicans still believe the President should scrap his plan to overhaul the health system and and start afresh. The GOP “Repeal It” movement first started back in January and has picked up momentum as Obama’s bill has gained Congressional popularity. Some Republicans believe if the bill is passed Democrats will lose popularity among voters and will pay the price in the November elections.

    Lawmakers on both sides acknowledge any repeal would be highly unlikely as long as Obama remains in office, as he could veto any such legislation.

    House Democrats say they are on track for a Sunday vote on the health care bill that will expand medical coverage to millions.

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    Posted in Reform & Regulation | No Comments »

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    Hard Working Americans Without Health Insurance

    Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

    Nurses, Teachers, Librarians, and other Americans whose efforts keep the community flowing– that is the face of uninsured. More and more middle class Americans are finding themselves without health insurance today.

    An article in the Dallas News shows how those numbers are increasing. Between 2000 and 2008 uninsured middle-income Texans – families earning between $48,000 and $85,000 – grew 40 percent, from 1.22 million to 1.71 million, according to data that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is releasing today.

    Many of these individuals were once offered affordable health insurance through their employers. But as premiums increased many companies imposed the additional costs onto employees. Often times, workers dropped their coverage because they couldn’t afford it.

    The more serious predicament occurs when the insured fall ill. Medical bills for treatment leave people in financial ruins and even worse many are refused adequate healthcare when they don’t have medical insurance. As a result, thousands of Americans die every year due to a lack of health insurance.

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