Friday, December 28, 2007
Morgan Moran Reports on Giuliani Heading To Florida
December 28, 2007
Is the Rudy Giuliani's campaign floundering? Is he going to leave New Hampshire and head to Florida?
Rudy himself insisted he would spend part of his Christmas vacation here. Maybe even go skiing.And true to his word by Christmas he was back on the stump. At a house party we stumbled across one excited follower - John Deads, the New Hampshire state co-chair of Veterans for Rudy - who said Giuliani was his man because the former mayor of the city of New York would take the war to the Muslims and drive them back into their caves. Another supporter said Rudy was the man to shoot people in the head if need be.
Almost as a supplement to his anti-terrorist message, Rudy often focuses on health care and immigration.He acknowledges health care as a major problem, but hopes the country can provide basic insurance for everyone without a national health insurance system. He looks to free enterprise competition for the solution, although holds out the possibility of government assistance by means of tax cuts so the middle class can obtain coverage. It is a mistake to think the poor don't have health insurance, he says. They are covered by Medicaid. It is the middle class which needs the most help. The Democrats are off on the wrong track, he says, with an emphasis on government regulation. "They think they know more than anybody else." In fact, the poor are being pushed off Medicaid as the Republican government tightens the social welfare plans. Immigration poses another serious division within the country. The best bet here, he suggests, is to use technology to create a real barrier to illegals coming across the southern border with Mexico. Then Giuliani suggests what amounts to an amnesty for those already here. If they don't identify themselves, then they should be kicked out. He would ask the illegals here to come forward. Since no one will know who they are, he is offering them a form of amnesty as well.9/11 has been the centre of his campaign with Giuliani casting himself in the mold of a Churchill. There he was in the midst of the disaster. He doesn't say so, but everyone knows that by contrast, President Bush was jumping about the country from one protected bastion to another
Contributor, Morgan Moran
Is the Rudy Giuliani's campaign floundering? Is he going to leave New Hampshire and head to Florida?
Rudy himself insisted he would spend part of his Christmas vacation here. Maybe even go skiing.And true to his word by Christmas he was back on the stump. At a house party we stumbled across one excited follower - John Deads, the New Hampshire state co-chair of Veterans for Rudy - who said Giuliani was his man because the former mayor of the city of New York would take the war to the Muslims and drive them back into their caves. Another supporter said Rudy was the man to shoot people in the head if need be.
Almost as a supplement to his anti-terrorist message, Rudy often focuses on health care and immigration.He acknowledges health care as a major problem, but hopes the country can provide basic insurance for everyone without a national health insurance system. He looks to free enterprise competition for the solution, although holds out the possibility of government assistance by means of tax cuts so the middle class can obtain coverage. It is a mistake to think the poor don't have health insurance, he says. They are covered by Medicaid. It is the middle class which needs the most help. The Democrats are off on the wrong track, he says, with an emphasis on government regulation. "They think they know more than anybody else." In fact, the poor are being pushed off Medicaid as the Republican government tightens the social welfare plans. Immigration poses another serious division within the country. The best bet here, he suggests, is to use technology to create a real barrier to illegals coming across the southern border with Mexico. Then Giuliani suggests what amounts to an amnesty for those already here. If they don't identify themselves, then they should be kicked out. He would ask the illegals here to come forward. Since no one will know who they are, he is offering them a form of amnesty as well.9/11 has been the centre of his campaign with Giuliani casting himself in the mold of a Churchill. There he was in the midst of the disaster. He doesn't say so, but everyone knows that by contrast, President Bush was jumping about the country from one protected bastion to another
Contributor, Morgan Moran
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Jacksonville Florida Health Insurance Agency Reports Costs Of Health Care 2008
December 19, 2007
Jacksonville, Florida Health Insurance
Nearly 4 million Floridians under age 65 will spend 11 percent or more of their pre-tax family income on health care costs in 2008, a Moran Insurance report told.
That's almost a 58 percent increase from the 2.4 million residents who spent more than 10 percent of their family income on health care in 2000.
Additionally, the nonprofit consumer health organization says 1.2 million Floridians will spend more than 25 percent of their pre-tax family income on health care next year, a 70 percent increase from 2000, the report says.
The rising costs are not limited to the uninsured. The report says nearly 78 percent of those residents who will spend more than 10 percent of their pre-tax family income in 2008 have health insurance and nearly 73 percent of those people who will spend more than 25 percent have individual health insurance.
Families USA attribute the increases to rising health care premiums and the growing expense co-payments for drugs, doctors and hospital visits.
"Florida families are hit hard in the pocketbooks due to skyrocketing health costs," Executive Director of Families USA Ron Pollack said in a release. "As a result, Floridians are spending much larger portions of their family incomes on health care costs -- and health care is becoming less and less affordable."
To get its numbers, Families USA asked the Lewin Group to analyze data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Jacksonville, Florida Health Insurance
Nearly 4 million Floridians under age 65 will spend 11 percent or more of their pre-tax family income on health care costs in 2008, a Moran Insurance report told.
That's almost a 58 percent increase from the 2.4 million residents who spent more than 10 percent of their family income on health care in 2000.
Additionally, the nonprofit consumer health organization says 1.2 million Floridians will spend more than 25 percent of their pre-tax family income on health care next year, a 70 percent increase from 2000, the report says.
The rising costs are not limited to the uninsured. The report says nearly 78 percent of those residents who will spend more than 10 percent of their pre-tax family income in 2008 have health insurance and nearly 73 percent of those people who will spend more than 25 percent have individual health insurance.
Families USA attribute the increases to rising health care premiums and the growing expense co-payments for drugs, doctors and hospital visits.
"Florida families are hit hard in the pocketbooks due to skyrocketing health costs," Executive Director of Families USA Ron Pollack said in a release. "As a result, Floridians are spending much larger portions of their family incomes on health care costs -- and health care is becoming less and less affordable."
To get its numbers, Families USA asked the Lewin Group to analyze data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Morgan Moran Health Insurance Update
Do More Adults in America Lack Health Insurance? A new U.S. Report Says that is true.
Dec. 11 (Miami, Florida) -- About 42.5 million Americans don't have health insurance, up from about 41 million in 1997, a U.S. government survey released yesterday showed. The group hardest hit was working-age adults, while fewer children lacked coverage.
Of Americans without health benefits, 30.8 million were uninsured for more than a year, according to the survey conducted in the first half of this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 53.2 million were uninsured at least part of the 12 months before the survey interview.
The growing number of uninsured in the U.S. may bolster efforts by Democrats in Congress to expand government health-care programs, a key election issue in the lead up to polls next year. President George W. Bush has argued instead for adding tax incentives to encourage individuals to buy their own policies.
Most Americans rely on employer-sponsored health insurance. Still, 22 percent of employed adults younger than 64 years -- when Medicare health benefits become accessible -- were uninsured for at least part of the past year, and 14 percent went without coverage for more than 12 months. Among the jobless, 52 percent were uninsured in the preceding year, and 33 percent for more than a year.
Fewer Kids Uninsured
The bright spot was that both the number and percentage of uninsured kids continued the decline begun in 1997, according to the CDC estimates. About 8.6 percent of children, or 6.4 million kids, were without insurance at the time they were surveyed in the first half of this year, down from 13.9 percent, or 9.9 million, in 1997.
About 12.3 percent of children were uninsured at least part of the past year, compared with 18.1 percent in 1997.
Adults 18 to 64 lost the most ground in health coverage over the years of the survey. Of working-age adults, about 19.2 percent were uninsured, or about 35.8 million. That's an increase from 8.9 percent, or 30.8 million, who said in 1997 they lacked medical insurance.
The CDC estimates were based on 41,823 people who participated in the National Health Interview Survey. The Census Bureau, using different data, estimated the number of uninsured at a record 47 million in 2006, according to figures it released Aug. 28.
Dec. 11 (Miami, Florida) -- About 42.5 million Americans don't have health insurance, up from about 41 million in 1997, a U.S. government survey released yesterday showed. The group hardest hit was working-age adults, while fewer children lacked coverage.
Of Americans without health benefits, 30.8 million were uninsured for more than a year, according to the survey conducted in the first half of this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 53.2 million were uninsured at least part of the 12 months before the survey interview.
The growing number of uninsured in the U.S. may bolster efforts by Democrats in Congress to expand government health-care programs, a key election issue in the lead up to polls next year. President George W. Bush has argued instead for adding tax incentives to encourage individuals to buy their own policies.
Most Americans rely on employer-sponsored health insurance. Still, 22 percent of employed adults younger than 64 years -- when Medicare health benefits become accessible -- were uninsured for at least part of the past year, and 14 percent went without coverage for more than 12 months. Among the jobless, 52 percent were uninsured in the preceding year, and 33 percent for more than a year.
Fewer Kids Uninsured
The bright spot was that both the number and percentage of uninsured kids continued the decline begun in 1997, according to the CDC estimates. About 8.6 percent of children, or 6.4 million kids, were without insurance at the time they were surveyed in the first half of this year, down from 13.9 percent, or 9.9 million, in 1997.
About 12.3 percent of children were uninsured at least part of the past year, compared with 18.1 percent in 1997.
Adults 18 to 64 lost the most ground in health coverage over the years of the survey. Of working-age adults, about 19.2 percent were uninsured, or about 35.8 million. That's an increase from 8.9 percent, or 30.8 million, who said in 1997 they lacked medical insurance.
The CDC estimates were based on 41,823 people who participated in the National Health Interview Survey. The Census Bureau, using different data, estimated the number of uninsured at a record 47 million in 2006, according to figures it released Aug. 28.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Orlando Florida Health Insurance Update
December 10, 2007
Orlando Florida Health Insurance
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation ordered a couple of unlicensed health insurers and a couple of business organizations to cease selling health insurance in Florida. The state agency said Affinity Health Plans, National Alliance Healthcare, the National Trade Business Alliance Association and the National Alliance of Associations also must pay all outstanding claims and refund all money collected from Florida consumers within 10 days. "This kind of unethical business practice will not be tolerated, so I am stopping it," Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said. The agency said Affinity and NAH have been soliciting Florida consumers through fax advertisements to purchase health insurance, dental insurance, hospitalization coverage, accident insurance, and vision, hearing and chiropractic insurance. It said that since July 2006, about 800 Florida consumers have purchased insurance through either Affinity or NAH. The companies' actions have generated numerous consumer complaints and have led to more than $100,000 in unpaid claims. Consumers with questions or concerns should call the Department of Financial Services' Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 or visit myfloridacfo.com.AirTran eyes international marketsAirTran Airways is getting ready to move into some international markets. At an airline-industry conference hosted this week by Calyon Securities, AirTran President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Fornaro said the carrier plans to add international routes in 2009. "In 2009, we're going to do a few more Caribbean routes," Fornaro said Tuesday at the conference, which would follow up on AirTran's recent announcement that it will begin service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AirTran used to fly to the Bahamas but canceled the service earlier this year.) What's more, Fornaro added, "Probably in 2009, we're going to be looking at Canada, as well."
Orlando Florida Health Insurance
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation ordered a couple of unlicensed health insurers and a couple of business organizations to cease selling health insurance in Florida. The state agency said Affinity Health Plans, National Alliance Healthcare, the National Trade Business Alliance Association and the National Alliance of Associations also must pay all outstanding claims and refund all money collected from Florida consumers within 10 days. "This kind of unethical business practice will not be tolerated, so I am stopping it," Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said. The agency said Affinity and NAH have been soliciting Florida consumers through fax advertisements to purchase health insurance, dental insurance, hospitalization coverage, accident insurance, and vision, hearing and chiropractic insurance. It said that since July 2006, about 800 Florida consumers have purchased insurance through either Affinity or NAH. The companies' actions have generated numerous consumer complaints and have led to more than $100,000 in unpaid claims. Consumers with questions or concerns should call the Department of Financial Services' Consumer Helpline at 1-877-693-5236 or visit myfloridacfo.com.AirTran eyes international marketsAirTran Airways is getting ready to move into some international markets. At an airline-industry conference hosted this week by Calyon Securities, AirTran President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Fornaro said the carrier plans to add international routes in 2009. "In 2009, we're going to do a few more Caribbean routes," Fornaro said Tuesday at the conference, which would follow up on AirTran's recent announcement that it will begin service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AirTran used to fly to the Bahamas but canceled the service earlier this year.) What's more, Fornaro added, "Probably in 2009, we're going to be looking at Canada, as well."
Friday, December 7, 2007
Florida Health Insurance Consultant Compares Health Care Plans
Do you know what health plan would work best for you? Are you a Floridian struggling to make premium payments for your Florida health insurance plan? If so, you are not alone.... Pay close attention to this years Presidential election. What candidate works best for you?
December 7, 2007 -- FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb, a health insurance information web site, in its November 2008 political report says "Hillary Clinton plans to expand Medicare and the federal employees' health insurance plan" and to cover those without adequate workplace insurance. Moran, a Florida health insurance consultant said, Democratic presidential candidate "Barack Obama is casting doubt on Clinton's ability to enforce a requirement in her plan that every American buy health insurance."
"Clinton's plan is the most sweeping universal plan offered by any of the 2008 candidates." According to Moran, her campaign is pulling out all the stops on the health insurance issue.
FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com, reporting on each of the presidential candidates positions on healthcare said, "Clinton and Obama are the latest to argue over healthcare. 'The upcoming elections will impact Florida's health care system as far as benefits and rates are concerned' said Moran, 'whichever candidate takes the White House in 2009, Florida residents may end up with better health care than they have today'. "Health insurance is finally on the bargaining table and we all may benefit from it."
Clinton points to her web site where her position on healthcare is clearly stated. On her website www.hillaryclinton.com she has posted the following points:
(1) If you have an insurance plan you like, you can keep it. If you want to change plans or aren't currently covered, you can choose from dozens of the same plans available to members of Congress, or you can opt into a public plan option like Medicare. And working families will get tax credits to help pay their premiums.
(2) Small businesses are the engine of new job growth in the U.S. economy but face bigger challenges when it comes to providing health care for their employees. Hillary would give tax credits to small businesses that provide Florida health insurance to their workers to help defray their coverage costs. This will make small businesses more competitive and help create good jobs with health benefits that will stay here in the US.
(3) Insurance companies won't be able to deny you coverage or drop you because their computer model says you're not worth it. They will have to offer and renew coverage to anyone who applies and pays their premium. And like other things that you buy, they will have to compete for your business based on quality and price. Families will have the security of knowing that if they become ill or lose their jobs, they won't lose their coverage.
(4) Nobody has worked harder or longer to improve health care than Hillary Clinton. From her time in Arkansas when she improved rural health care to her successful effort to create the SCHIP Children's Affordable Health Insurance program which now covers six million children, Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care.
"Clinton has been criticizing Obama's health care plan for falling short of universal health coverage" said Moran, because unlike her plan, "Obama's (plan) would not require every American to buy insurance". Obama claims "his plan would lower the cost of insurance and guarantee access", removing the obstacles most often faced by people without insurance.
This week Obama argued that his rival (CLINTON) has been unwilling to say how she would enforce the mandate to buy health insurance. Without enforcement, "Obama said, it is nothing more than an empty 'political talking point'."
"Sen. Clinton still hasn't explained what this mandate is: What's she going to do if somebody doesn't purchase health care? Is she going to fine them? Is she going to garnish their wages?" Obama said.
"One of the problems with Clinton's health insurance approach, is that she hasn't been straight with the American people about how she's going to 'impose this mandate'. And without an enforcement mechanism, there is no mandate. It's just a political talking point," he continued.
A spokesman for the Clinton campaign, Lori Singer commented, "The fact remains that Sen. "Obama is going around saying he has a universal health care plan that in fact excludes 15 million Americans." Obama's own health care plan does include a requirement that families purchase insurance for their children.
Shortly after, Obama sent out a memo noting that in Massachusetts, the only state so far to require residents to buy health insurance, "hundreds of thousands of people have not purchased insurance despite a fine levied on those who fail to do so through their tax returns".
About Morgan Moran and FHI-WebFlorida Health Insurance Web is a health insurance consulting service. Find out about health insurance from the experts in a free online or phone consultation. Florida health insurance web is a source of health insurance news, agents, and insurance carriers covering individuals in the state of Florida. Individuals can get insurance quotes, search rates online by city, read current insurance news and events. For a directory and archive of Florida Health Insurance News or Consultants, or free health insurance quotes, please visit www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com.
December 7, 2007 -- FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb, a health insurance information web site, in its November 2008 political report says "Hillary Clinton plans to expand Medicare and the federal employees' health insurance plan" and to cover those without adequate workplace insurance. Moran, a Florida health insurance consultant said, Democratic presidential candidate "Barack Obama is casting doubt on Clinton's ability to enforce a requirement in her plan that every American buy health insurance."
"Clinton's plan is the most sweeping universal plan offered by any of the 2008 candidates." According to Moran, her campaign is pulling out all the stops on the health insurance issue.
FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com, reporting on each of the presidential candidates positions on healthcare said, "Clinton and Obama are the latest to argue over healthcare. 'The upcoming elections will impact Florida's health care system as far as benefits and rates are concerned' said Moran, 'whichever candidate takes the White House in 2009, Florida residents may end up with better health care than they have today'. "Health insurance is finally on the bargaining table and we all may benefit from it."
Clinton points to her web site where her position on healthcare is clearly stated. On her website www.hillaryclinton.com she has posted the following points:
(1) If you have an insurance plan you like, you can keep it. If you want to change plans or aren't currently covered, you can choose from dozens of the same plans available to members of Congress, or you can opt into a public plan option like Medicare. And working families will get tax credits to help pay their premiums.
(2) Small businesses are the engine of new job growth in the U.S. economy but face bigger challenges when it comes to providing health care for their employees. Hillary would give tax credits to small businesses that provide Florida health insurance to their workers to help defray their coverage costs. This will make small businesses more competitive and help create good jobs with health benefits that will stay here in the US.
(3) Insurance companies won't be able to deny you coverage or drop you because their computer model says you're not worth it. They will have to offer and renew coverage to anyone who applies and pays their premium. And like other things that you buy, they will have to compete for your business based on quality and price. Families will have the security of knowing that if they become ill or lose their jobs, they won't lose their coverage.
(4) Nobody has worked harder or longer to improve health care than Hillary Clinton. From her time in Arkansas when she improved rural health care to her successful effort to create the SCHIP Children's Affordable Health Insurance program which now covers six million children, Hillary has the strength and experience to ensure that every man, woman and child in America has quality, affordable health care.
"Clinton has been criticizing Obama's health care plan for falling short of universal health coverage" said Moran, because unlike her plan, "Obama's (plan) would not require every American to buy insurance". Obama claims "his plan would lower the cost of insurance and guarantee access", removing the obstacles most often faced by people without insurance.
This week Obama argued that his rival (CLINTON) has been unwilling to say how she would enforce the mandate to buy health insurance. Without enforcement, "Obama said, it is nothing more than an empty 'political talking point'."
"Sen. Clinton still hasn't explained what this mandate is: What's she going to do if somebody doesn't purchase health care? Is she going to fine them? Is she going to garnish their wages?" Obama said.
"One of the problems with Clinton's health insurance approach, is that she hasn't been straight with the American people about how she's going to 'impose this mandate'. And without an enforcement mechanism, there is no mandate. It's just a political talking point," he continued.
A spokesman for the Clinton campaign, Lori Singer commented, "The fact remains that Sen. "Obama is going around saying he has a universal health care plan that in fact excludes 15 million Americans." Obama's own health care plan does include a requirement that families purchase insurance for their children.
Shortly after, Obama sent out a memo noting that in Massachusetts, the only state so far to require residents to buy health insurance, "hundreds of thousands of people have not purchased insurance despite a fine levied on those who fail to do so through their tax returns".
About Morgan Moran and FHI-WebFlorida Health Insurance Web is a health insurance consulting service. Find out about health insurance from the experts in a free online or phone consultation. Florida health insurance web is a source of health insurance news, agents, and insurance carriers covering individuals in the state of Florida. Individuals can get insurance quotes, search rates online by city, read current insurance news and events. For a directory and archive of Florida Health Insurance News or Consultants, or free health insurance quotes, please visit www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Florida Health Insurance Group Highlights Health Insurance For 2008
Orlando Florida Health Insurance Dec. 6, 2007FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com, a division of Moran Insurance & Financial Solutions, a health insurance consulting service, has produced a non-partisan report of each presidential candidate and their positions on healthcare. 'The upcoming elections will impact Florida's health care system' said consultant Morgan Moran in a phone interview, 'it's up to you as Florida residents to turn out January 29 and choose which candidate delivers the best insurance plan'. Read the full article here...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Romney Visits Florida
Mitt Romney is on the campaign trail...Heavily trying to get the votes of Floridians.
Jacksonville, Florida
Mitt Romney's top rivals reminded voters that Massachusetts residents had until yesterday to sign up for health insurance or face possible tax penalties - and criticized the mandate as unwarranted government intrusion.
more stories like thisRudy Giuliani, campaigning in Florida yesterday, pointed out that Romney, who signed the landmark Massachusetts healthcare law while he was governor, has dropped the enrollment requirement from the healthcare plan he is pitching as a presidential candidate. Instead, he would leave such proposals up to each state.
"Governor Romney does not want to do for America what he did for Massachusetts," Giuliani said. "He has abandoned the idea of doing mandates for the entire country, and why did he abandon it for the whole country? Because it's not a good idea."
An aide to Fred Thompson e-mailed audio of a public service announcement reminding Massachusetts residents of the deadline and sought campaign contributions for Thompson, a former senator from Tennessee.
Romney's camp yesterday responded to the criticism: "There are those that just talk about healthcare reform, and then there's governor Mitt Romney, who actually has a record of accomplishment on healthcare reform."
"Governor Romney's vision and record of accomplishment on healthcare reform includes utilizing the free market and innovation to get more people covered with private insurance while making care more affordable by reducing the number of free-riders and government regulations that are responsible for holding back the market and driving up costs," the statement said.
Massachusetts' healthcare overhaul has been a delicate dance for Romney. It is a major part of his record of accomplishments as governor that he is highlighting. But he has been disavowing more controversial parts of the healthcare plan, and has bashed Democrat Hillary Clinton's plan, though it shares key elements with the one in Massachusetts.
Under the measure, Massachusetts residents had to sign up for health insurance by yesterday or they are likely to face tax penalties starting Jan. 1. It is the stick that follows the carrot of previous deadlines requiring the state to expand subsidized coverage, or requiring private insurers to offer less expensive policies to the uninsured.
The law aims to reduce the ranks of uninsured in Massachusetts, a group once estimated at up to 500,000. As of July 1, all state residents had to be insured either through government programs or private insurance provided by their employers, subsidized by the state, or driven down in cost through state collaboration with private insurers.
Bay State residents do not face penalties though, unless they continue to be uninsured after Dec. 31. Yesterday was the last day many insurers would take on new customers and cover them as of Dec. 31.
Those lacking coverage on Dec. 31 will lose the personal exemption on their state income tax filing next spring, equal to $219. If they remain uninsured into 2008, they will be taxed up to 50 percent of the cost of the least-expensive private insurance plan - an estimated hit of at least $150 a month.
The mandate is a critical element of the new law, because it aims to stop uninsured "free-riders" from walking into an emergency room and sticking the insured with the bill through higher premiums. Romney likened the provision to the state's auto-insurance requirement, and pitched it as a matter of personal responsibility when he signed the health bill into law in April 2006.
The law appears to be working. As of Nov. 1, the date for the most recent statistics, more than 200,000 formerly uninsured people had gotten insurance, roughly half of the state's target.
Nonetheless, Romney has distanced himself from the mandate.
"I think mine is the ultimate conservative approach," he said in an interview with the Associated Press this week. "The good news is we've proved that we can get everybody insured without the government handing out government insurance, and without spreading Medicaid to everybody, and without a government takeover of healthcare. . . . I'm the only guy who's got a free-market way to get everybody insured."
Jacksonville, Florida
Mitt Romney's top rivals reminded voters that Massachusetts residents had until yesterday to sign up for health insurance or face possible tax penalties - and criticized the mandate as unwarranted government intrusion.
more stories like thisRudy Giuliani, campaigning in Florida yesterday, pointed out that Romney, who signed the landmark Massachusetts healthcare law while he was governor, has dropped the enrollment requirement from the healthcare plan he is pitching as a presidential candidate. Instead, he would leave such proposals up to each state.
"Governor Romney does not want to do for America what he did for Massachusetts," Giuliani said. "He has abandoned the idea of doing mandates for the entire country, and why did he abandon it for the whole country? Because it's not a good idea."
An aide to Fred Thompson e-mailed audio of a public service announcement reminding Massachusetts residents of the deadline and sought campaign contributions for Thompson, a former senator from Tennessee.
Romney's camp yesterday responded to the criticism: "There are those that just talk about healthcare reform, and then there's governor Mitt Romney, who actually has a record of accomplishment on healthcare reform."
"Governor Romney's vision and record of accomplishment on healthcare reform includes utilizing the free market and innovation to get more people covered with private insurance while making care more affordable by reducing the number of free-riders and government regulations that are responsible for holding back the market and driving up costs," the statement said.
Massachusetts' healthcare overhaul has been a delicate dance for Romney. It is a major part of his record of accomplishments as governor that he is highlighting. But he has been disavowing more controversial parts of the healthcare plan, and has bashed Democrat Hillary Clinton's plan, though it shares key elements with the one in Massachusetts.
Under the measure, Massachusetts residents had to sign up for health insurance by yesterday or they are likely to face tax penalties starting Jan. 1. It is the stick that follows the carrot of previous deadlines requiring the state to expand subsidized coverage, or requiring private insurers to offer less expensive policies to the uninsured.
The law aims to reduce the ranks of uninsured in Massachusetts, a group once estimated at up to 500,000. As of July 1, all state residents had to be insured either through government programs or private insurance provided by their employers, subsidized by the state, or driven down in cost through state collaboration with private insurers.
Bay State residents do not face penalties though, unless they continue to be uninsured after Dec. 31. Yesterday was the last day many insurers would take on new customers and cover them as of Dec. 31.
Those lacking coverage on Dec. 31 will lose the personal exemption on their state income tax filing next spring, equal to $219. If they remain uninsured into 2008, they will be taxed up to 50 percent of the cost of the least-expensive private insurance plan - an estimated hit of at least $150 a month.
The mandate is a critical element of the new law, because it aims to stop uninsured "free-riders" from walking into an emergency room and sticking the insured with the bill through higher premiums. Romney likened the provision to the state's auto-insurance requirement, and pitched it as a matter of personal responsibility when he signed the health bill into law in April 2006.
The law appears to be working. As of Nov. 1, the date for the most recent statistics, more than 200,000 formerly uninsured people had gotten insurance, roughly half of the state's target.
Nonetheless, Romney has distanced himself from the mandate.
"I think mine is the ultimate conservative approach," he said in an interview with the Associated Press this week. "The good news is we've proved that we can get everybody insured without the government handing out government insurance, and without spreading Medicaid to everybody, and without a government takeover of healthcare. . . . I'm the only guy who's got a free-market way to get everybody insured."
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Aetna Medicare Launches New Plan Options For 2008
Aetna is now offering many new HMO Open access & PPO Plans in the state of Florida. See how their Medicare Advantage plans can help you. Are you currently on disability? Did you just turn 65 years of age? Get more information here...
Moran Insurance & Financial Solutions
Moran Insurance And Financial Solutions offers many consulting solutions in Florida. They are a financial solutions company, specializing in employee benefits, human capital consulting, retirement, and many other financial based solutions. Check out their site at www.MoranFinancialSolutions.com. Great information on many products.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Joe Biden's * Health Insurance Plans
Jacksonville, Florida Health Insurance PlansJoe Biden has been moving up in the national Presidential polls as of late. His views on Health Care are much different than others in the race for 2008. Find more information on the Joe Biden Plan...(Read Here)
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Florida Health Insurance News Flash
Florida Health Insurance News. Presidential candidate Joe Biden lays out his plan for Health Care in the United States. Find more information....(Read More)
Monday, November 5, 2007
Moran Insurance And Financial Solutions
Moran Insurance And Financial Solutions lauches a new corporate website www.MoranFinancialSolutions.com. This informational site gives larger corporate entities the opportunity to learn in great depth about Human Capital Consulting, Human Resources Outsourcing, Risk Management, and overall Financial Solutions.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Florida Health Insurance * Giuliani's Plan for Health Care
Republican Rudy Giuliani calls Hillary Clinton's health care ideas socialized medicine in a New Hampshire radio ad; and says if he wins the 2008 election, he would "have families continue to buy private health insurance." Florida health insurance consultant Morgan Moran said, "Giuliani's plan follows what the president is offering now". Moran is a consultant at Florida health insurance web, a free consultant service
Read more of this Health Insurance article...
Friday, October 26, 2007
House Passes Health Bill
Once again defying a veto threat from President Bush, the House this afternoon passed a new bill to provide health insurance for 10 million children, but not by a margin large enough to override a promised veto.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Barack Obama On Health Care
Healthcare address in Iowa. Read more on what Barack Obama has to see here.
More Florida Health Insurance News here!
More Florida Health Insurance News here!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Health Insurance News Daily...
Flip S-CHIP to a tax benefit - Using tax credits to extend healthcare for poor children (Read More)at your Florida Health Insurance News Blog.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Florida Health Insurance News *October 11, 2007
Health Insurance Rates are Dropping in Florida? (Read More)
Todays Florida Insurance News
Get The Most Updated Florida Insurance News here, Daily!
All Of Your Florida Health Insurance News (www.google.com)
All Of Your Florida Health Insurance News (www.google.com)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Health Insurance Plan Examined
How do you Examine your current health plan? Find out here (read more)
Deal on a SCHIP Health Plan Is Possible
Tampa, Florida health insurance for kids is currently under great scrutiny. With the recent Bush Veto of SCHIP program for children, many Florida children will be without health insurance. Is it o.k. to let nearly 9 million children go uninsured? Read More Here To See what Tampa, Florida residents think of the new Veto..
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Health Insurance Veto * Ads Go After Republicans
Miami, Florida (10-09-2007)
Columbus Day is now over and a new coalition of advocacy groups have recently targeted Republicans and their support for SCHIP health insurance program Veto. The federal children's health-care program has recently been veteod by President Bush. This agenda has raised concerns from both sides of the major political parties. Will the Republican Candidates for President go over their plan for future health care programs in the GOP Presidential Candidate Debate this evening? Some of these tough questions must be answered! Lets not get the run around with these politicians and demand we get answers...Is President Bush out of touch with his recent Veto? How will this affect residents that hold a Florida Health Insurance Policy...
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she hopes to "peel off" 14 Republican votes for the SCHIP bill.
The coalition, which includes the AFL-CIO and MoveOn.org, rolled out a nearly $1 million television ad campaign and is targeting about 20 Republicans to vote to override the president's veto of the bill.
The national ad, sponsored by Americans United for Change, an umbrella group of liberal organizations, is running on cable networks.
It includes images of a baby and other children with an announcer saying "George Bush just vetoed Abby." The coalition also promises to rally activists in districts of another 20 House Republicans over the next two weeks.
This push by Democratic groups comes on top of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's efforts to zero in on eight House Republicans who opposed the bill. The campaign arm started running radio ads and funding automated calls to voters last week in districts it considers competitive for Democratic challengers. Watch Speaker Nancy Pelosi call for the override of Bush's veto »
Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, sounded cautiously optimistic in an interview with Fox News about her party's chances.
Don't Miss
Bush hints at spending more on children's health
Democrats begin push to override SCHIP veto
"We take it one day at a time," Pelosi said, adding that Democrats needed "less than 20 votes" in the House to get the two-thirds vote required to override the veto. Pelosi admitted Democrats needed to "peel off" 14 Republicans who voted against the bill last month.
A vote in the House is scheduled for October 18.
On Sunday, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told the Associated Press he expected the House to sustain the president's veto.
Leavitt also told the AP President Bush was willing to work with Democrats to reauthorize the current program, which covers children from families with incomes up to 200 percent of the poverty level, and to increase funding by 20 percent.
"The president knows bad policy when he sees it," Leavitt told the AP. "But we need to have a serious conversation that involves all of the points of view."
In his weekly radio address Saturday, Bush said, "If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money."
Forty-five Republicans voted with the Democrats on September 25 to reauthorize the program and direct $35 billion over the next five years to states to cover children's health-care costs. Eight Democrats voted against the bill.
Despite the two-week delay on the override vote, designed to pressure Republicans, House GOP leaders sounded confident heading into the weekend that there would not be any additional Republican defections. House GOP Whip Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, predicted Wednesday the number of Republican votes against the measure "will go up, not down."
House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam, R-Florida, said Thursday that GOP leaders expected to pick up more votes against overriding the veto from at least a couple of Republicans who were absent for the first SCHIP vote.
Asked Sunday about President Bush's suggestion that there was room for compromise on the size of the program, Pelosi said, "It's hard to imagine how we could diminish the number of children who are covered. The president calls himself the decider, and I don't know why he would want to decide that one child has health care and another does not."
House Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina said if the veto is upheld, House Democrats should push for an even broader version of the children's health-care bill, even if it is opposed in the Senate.
He argued Democrats would gain politically if Republicans blocked the program.
"And let's say to them, go ahead, filibuster," he said. "Our base will understand what a filibuster is, the American people will understand what a filibuster is. They don't understand this 60-vote-rule business. But they remember which party filibustered against all the civil rights bills back in the '50s and '60s, and to have that same party stand up there and start filibustering against health care for children? Man, I would love that picture
Columbus Day is now over and a new coalition of advocacy groups have recently targeted Republicans and their support for SCHIP health insurance program Veto. The federal children's health-care program has recently been veteod by President Bush. This agenda has raised concerns from both sides of the major political parties. Will the Republican Candidates for President go over their plan for future health care programs in the GOP Presidential Candidate Debate this evening? Some of these tough questions must be answered! Lets not get the run around with these politicians and demand we get answers...Is President Bush out of touch with his recent Veto? How will this affect residents that hold a Florida Health Insurance Policy...
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she hopes to "peel off" 14 Republican votes for the SCHIP bill.
The coalition, which includes the AFL-CIO and MoveOn.org, rolled out a nearly $1 million television ad campaign and is targeting about 20 Republicans to vote to override the president's veto of the bill.
The national ad, sponsored by Americans United for Change, an umbrella group of liberal organizations, is running on cable networks.
It includes images of a baby and other children with an announcer saying "George Bush just vetoed Abby." The coalition also promises to rally activists in districts of another 20 House Republicans over the next two weeks.
This push by Democratic groups comes on top of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's efforts to zero in on eight House Republicans who opposed the bill. The campaign arm started running radio ads and funding automated calls to voters last week in districts it considers competitive for Democratic challengers. Watch Speaker Nancy Pelosi call for the override of Bush's veto »
Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, sounded cautiously optimistic in an interview with Fox News about her party's chances.
Don't Miss
Bush hints at spending more on children's health
Democrats begin push to override SCHIP veto
"We take it one day at a time," Pelosi said, adding that Democrats needed "less than 20 votes" in the House to get the two-thirds vote required to override the veto. Pelosi admitted Democrats needed to "peel off" 14 Republicans who voted against the bill last month.
A vote in the House is scheduled for October 18.
On Sunday, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told the Associated Press he expected the House to sustain the president's veto.
Leavitt also told the AP President Bush was willing to work with Democrats to reauthorize the current program, which covers children from families with incomes up to 200 percent of the poverty level, and to increase funding by 20 percent.
"The president knows bad policy when he sees it," Leavitt told the AP. "But we need to have a serious conversation that involves all of the points of view."
In his weekly radio address Saturday, Bush said, "If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money."
Forty-five Republicans voted with the Democrats on September 25 to reauthorize the program and direct $35 billion over the next five years to states to cover children's health-care costs. Eight Democrats voted against the bill.
Despite the two-week delay on the override vote, designed to pressure Republicans, House GOP leaders sounded confident heading into the weekend that there would not be any additional Republican defections. House GOP Whip Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, predicted Wednesday the number of Republican votes against the measure "will go up, not down."
House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam, R-Florida, said Thursday that GOP leaders expected to pick up more votes against overriding the veto from at least a couple of Republicans who were absent for the first SCHIP vote.
Asked Sunday about President Bush's suggestion that there was room for compromise on the size of the program, Pelosi said, "It's hard to imagine how we could diminish the number of children who are covered. The president calls himself the decider, and I don't know why he would want to decide that one child has health care and another does not."
House Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina said if the veto is upheld, House Democrats should push for an even broader version of the children's health-care bill, even if it is opposed in the Senate.
He argued Democrats would gain politically if Republicans blocked the program.
"And let's say to them, go ahead, filibuster," he said. "Our base will understand what a filibuster is, the American people will understand what a filibuster is. They don't understand this 60-vote-rule business. But they remember which party filibustered against all the civil rights bills back in the '50s and '60s, and to have that same party stand up there and start filibustering against health care for children? Man, I would love that picture
Monday, October 8, 2007
Florida Health Insurance [News] Democratic Position On Health Care
Jacksonvile, Florida, Oct. 8 — The issue of healthcare and politics has heated up again. New York governor, Eliot Spitzer, last week contacted Representative John R. Kuhl Jr. on the issue of children’s health insurance programs in New York. SCHIP programs are in trouble with George W Bush and his new Veto of the legistlation that would have insured nearly 10 million Floridians.
“He said, ‘I am calling you to come over to the dark side,’ ” said Mr. Kuhl, who was urged by the governor to drop his opposition to health care legislation and join the effort to override President Bush’s veto of the bill.
Mr. Kuhl, a Republican who narrowly survived the Democratic sweep of 2006, said he was unlikely to budge. As a result, voters in his district will also be getting calls — from Democrats and advocacy groups who are planning a telephone, radio, television and even text-message barrage against Republicans over what is shaping up as a defining domestic policy issue of the 2008 campaign.
Democrats believe they have Republicans — short on campaign cash, contending with a spurt of retirements and quarreling — on the run over the legislation, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Party leaders say the willingness of so many House Republicans to stick with Mr. Bush in the face of bipartisan backing for a $35 billion expansion of the program to provide insurance for poor children will prove costly as Election Day looms a year from now.
“They know they cannot sustain this vote in the fall of 2008 and they are praying it gets worked out before then,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
The Health and Human Services secretary, Michael O. Leavitt, said Sunday that Mr. Bush was ready to work it out. “The president has already said, ‘I want a compromise,’ ” Mr. Leavitt said on the ABC program “This Week.” But Democrats say that they have already compromised with Senate Republicans and they are in no hurry to scale back the plan.
Republicans acknowledge they could suffer some short-term damage from an issue easily framed as either favoring health care for poor children — or not.
“Certainly in the immediate, superficial look, everybody is for covering kids who don’t have health insurance,” said Representative Adam H. Putnam of Florida, chairman of the House Republican Conference.
But he and other Republicans say they eventually can turn the issue to their advantage by making the case that Democrats are spending too much, taking a first step toward national health care and devoting tax money to coverage for some families who can afford insurance. They contend their stance could have special resonance with conservatives unhappy with the recent Republican reluctance to resist popular spending programs.
“If this was October of next year, I’d be really worried,” said Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, the second-ranking House Republican. “But this is October of this year and the beginning of us getting our credibility back by showing that we are willing to take principled stands on spending.”
House Republican leaders are confident they can hold their forces together and sustain the president’s veto in a vote scheduled for Oct. 18. But over the next two weeks, Mr. Kuhl and more than two dozen other Republicans will face an onslaught of advertisements and public activities intended to put pressure on them to vote to override it.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is taking on eight Republicans in competitive districts with a series of automated calls and radio advertisements that remind listeners that their lawmaker gets taxpayer-paid health care while opposing the expansion of the program administered by each state.
Beginning Monday, a coalition of liberal and labor groups will start a $1 million advertising effort, with a national advertisement to run on cable channels and local advertisements aimed at specific lawmakers. The national commercial shows a series of children beginning with a baby girl and states, “George Bush just vetoed Abby.” It says Mr. Bush puts excessive war spending over health care at home.
“The president’s ‘yes men’ in Congress need to stand up to Bush and stand up for families who work hard but simply can’t find affordable insurance,” said Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change, one group leading the effort.
The health care fight is coming at an inopportune moment for Congressional Republicans. In the Senate, a string of retirements has created openings for Democrats to increase their slim majority. House Republicans have had retirements of their own and party fund-raising is lagging behind Democrats by a wide margin.
The Republican targets of the advocacy campaign say they do not view it as much of a threat, saying many of their voters will not consider the advertisements credible and that tactics like robocalls can backfire.
“I don’t worry about it,” said Representative Steve Chabot of Ohio, who noted that he strongly supported the insurance program when it was created in 1997. “I am perfectly satisfied with my vote and there is a range of reasons why I think this is a bad bill.”
“He said, ‘I am calling you to come over to the dark side,’ ” said Mr. Kuhl, who was urged by the governor to drop his opposition to health care legislation and join the effort to override President Bush’s veto of the bill.
Mr. Kuhl, a Republican who narrowly survived the Democratic sweep of 2006, said he was unlikely to budge. As a result, voters in his district will also be getting calls — from Democrats and advocacy groups who are planning a telephone, radio, television and even text-message barrage against Republicans over what is shaping up as a defining domestic policy issue of the 2008 campaign.
Democrats believe they have Republicans — short on campaign cash, contending with a spurt of retirements and quarreling — on the run over the legislation, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Party leaders say the willingness of so many House Republicans to stick with Mr. Bush in the face of bipartisan backing for a $35 billion expansion of the program to provide insurance for poor children will prove costly as Election Day looms a year from now.
“They know they cannot sustain this vote in the fall of 2008 and they are praying it gets worked out before then,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
The Health and Human Services secretary, Michael O. Leavitt, said Sunday that Mr. Bush was ready to work it out. “The president has already said, ‘I want a compromise,’ ” Mr. Leavitt said on the ABC program “This Week.” But Democrats say that they have already compromised with Senate Republicans and they are in no hurry to scale back the plan.
Republicans acknowledge they could suffer some short-term damage from an issue easily framed as either favoring health care for poor children — or not.
“Certainly in the immediate, superficial look, everybody is for covering kids who don’t have health insurance,” said Representative Adam H. Putnam of Florida, chairman of the House Republican Conference.
But he and other Republicans say they eventually can turn the issue to their advantage by making the case that Democrats are spending too much, taking a first step toward national health care and devoting tax money to coverage for some families who can afford insurance. They contend their stance could have special resonance with conservatives unhappy with the recent Republican reluctance to resist popular spending programs.
“If this was October of next year, I’d be really worried,” said Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, the second-ranking House Republican. “But this is October of this year and the beginning of us getting our credibility back by showing that we are willing to take principled stands on spending.”
House Republican leaders are confident they can hold their forces together and sustain the president’s veto in a vote scheduled for Oct. 18. But over the next two weeks, Mr. Kuhl and more than two dozen other Republicans will face an onslaught of advertisements and public activities intended to put pressure on them to vote to override it.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is taking on eight Republicans in competitive districts with a series of automated calls and radio advertisements that remind listeners that their lawmaker gets taxpayer-paid health care while opposing the expansion of the program administered by each state.
Beginning Monday, a coalition of liberal and labor groups will start a $1 million advertising effort, with a national advertisement to run on cable channels and local advertisements aimed at specific lawmakers. The national commercial shows a series of children beginning with a baby girl and states, “George Bush just vetoed Abby.” It says Mr. Bush puts excessive war spending over health care at home.
“The president’s ‘yes men’ in Congress need to stand up to Bush and stand up for families who work hard but simply can’t find affordable insurance,” said Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change, one group leading the effort.
The health care fight is coming at an inopportune moment for Congressional Republicans. In the Senate, a string of retirements has created openings for Democrats to increase their slim majority. House Republicans have had retirements of their own and party fund-raising is lagging behind Democrats by a wide margin.
The Republican targets of the advocacy campaign say they do not view it as much of a threat, saying many of their voters will not consider the advertisements credible and that tactics like robocalls can backfire.
“I don’t worry about it,” said Representative Steve Chabot of Ohio, who noted that he strongly supported the insurance program when it was created in 1997. “I am perfectly satisfied with my vote and there is a range of reasons why I think this is a bad bill.”
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Debate on Health Care * Presidential Candidates
All of the 2008 presidential hopefulls have been presenting their versions of a National Health Care Plan. Many of the Universal Health Care plans promoted are similar, while others are very different. Candidates have used the state of Florida as a launching pad to unveil their health insurance plans. Many Floridians argree that a big change must be made, but they are still unsure as to which plan best suits them. Are you a Florida resident that is self employed? If so you might want to review the various health plans before voting for a candidate in 2008.
Florida is emerging as the sounding board on health care reform for leading contenders for the presidency in 2008.Mitt Romney chose an August meeting of the Florida Medical Association for the national unveiling of his new health care reform plan.Sen. Hillary Clinton dropped hints about her plan during a Sept. 10 speech in Boca Raton, then released it a week later.Their attention to the Sunshine State makes sense, and not just because of Florida's traditional role as the biggest of the electoral swing states.Florida also is a leader in a less-coveted category: the states with the most residents lacking health insurance.A recent Census Bureau report found that from 2004 to 2006, 20.3 percent of Floridians under age 65 -- more than 3.6 million people -- had no health insurance for at least one year.That gave Florida an unwelcome bronze medal. Its uninsured rate trails only Texas and New Mexico.The issue also resonates nationally.Democratic voters rank health care along with the Iraq war as the most important issue in the campaign, according to a recent poll by the Kaiser Foundation. Republican voters ranked health care second to Iraq as the top issue.Virtually all major candidates have floated plans for some overhaul to the system.Democrats like Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards favor a universal "safety net" coverage coupled with changes to make existing insurance plans less expensive.Republicans, led by Romney and Rudy Giuliani, oppose new government programs, and instead propose making insurance affordable by streamlining the current system, increasing competition and allowing more tax breaks.Closer to home, the Herald-Tribune asked three people with varying stakes in health care what reforms they would like to see.The uninsured entrepreneurIn one sense, Ken Wingate could be just who Democratic candidates have in mind -- in particular, when they argue that every American needs coverage regardless of income or health.The Sarasota resident cannot get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. An illness this summer forced an emergency room visit -- and left him with a $4,790 bill that he will have to pay out of his pocket."How am I going to come up with that?" he asked.But Wingate also makes a case for Republicans' arguments that forcing all employers to provide health insurance would be a disaster for business.Wingate recently launched a photography business, Kenneth Wingate Photography, which just landed a major retail client. He is wary of legislation that could require all businesses, even small ones like his, to provide health care coverage."Creating legislation out of both sides is the best way to go," Wingate said.Increasing health care coverage without raising costs for businesses leaves the question: Who will pay?Wingate said the government should shift money from the Iraq war and other expenses overseas."More of our taxpayer money needs to be put to taking care of our own, here in our country," he said.The hospital presidentGwen MacKenzie has seen the benefits and the consequences of universal health care coverage.When she ran a hospital system in Detroit, MacKenzie saw Canadian patients come across the border for care when government funding ran low."It was amazing to see how many people who had national health care and also had private insurance coming to Detroit," she said.But since taking the helm of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in 2005, she has seen patients leave mountains of unpaid bills -- some $140 million in just two years.Most are patients with no insurance. They are choosing between paying for groceries and paying a hospital bill -- "and you know which one they choose," she said.But even some insured people do not pay. Many chose to "roll the dice," MacKenzie said, by buying plans with low premiums but high out-of-pocket payments -- charges that they cannot afford when they get sick."Too many times, we see patients with high-deductible health plans that often fail to cover their basic health care costs," she said.So her preference for reform would include elements of both parties' approaches.MacKenzie agrees with Romney's assertion that states can develop their own innovative plans. Those plans would automatically enroll people in a basic insurance plan, allowing them to opt out for private insurance.She likes tax breaks to help small businesses buy health insurance, something the hospital is trying to do through its "Charter Plan" insurance program.Any national plan would have to be careful not to sacrifice depth of coverage just to include all people, she said. Any national plan to expand enrollment, however, must be careful not to cut back on individuals' breadth and depth of coverage."While we want more people to have insurance, we also want them to have meaningful, substantive coverage," she said.The doctorDr. Michael Patete, a Venice ear, nose and throat specialist who has lobbied in Washington, wants to see a truly free market -- meaning less control from both government and insurance companies.With insurance, patients do not know how much their care costs, and do not make informed choices, he said.For example, he said, he might recommend a patient get an MRI test, a sort of high-powered X-ray that can examine soft tissue.With insurance, a patient might only have a $25 copayment and would probably go ahead with the test.But a patient who has to pay the actual cost -- at minimum $400, and usually far more -- might wonder if the test were necessary, what hospital or lab has the best machine, and what prices they charge."Wouldn't you want to know more?" Patete said.Like MacKenzie, Patete had some experience with the Canadian system. His daughter broke an elbow during a trip there. The hospital visit cost $600.Friends of his recently took a child to a Florida emergency room for a leg injury, and X-ray, splint and crutches ran $1,500 -- without the doctor's fee.But he fears a Canadian-style system would lead to two tiers of patients, one paying for the best care, on demand, and the other waiting for safety-net care."The American people are not willing to do that," he said.He would like to see more use of health savings accounts, in which people set aside a tax-exempt portion of their pay to be used for medical expenses.While some candidates espouse that, no one plan seems complete."Nobody's got the right answer," Patete said.
Florida is emerging as the sounding board on health care reform for leading contenders for the presidency in 2008.Mitt Romney chose an August meeting of the Florida Medical Association for the national unveiling of his new health care reform plan.Sen. Hillary Clinton dropped hints about her plan during a Sept. 10 speech in Boca Raton, then released it a week later.Their attention to the Sunshine State makes sense, and not just because of Florida's traditional role as the biggest of the electoral swing states.Florida also is a leader in a less-coveted category: the states with the most residents lacking health insurance.A recent Census Bureau report found that from 2004 to 2006, 20.3 percent of Floridians under age 65 -- more than 3.6 million people -- had no health insurance for at least one year.That gave Florida an unwelcome bronze medal. Its uninsured rate trails only Texas and New Mexico.The issue also resonates nationally.Democratic voters rank health care along with the Iraq war as the most important issue in the campaign, according to a recent poll by the Kaiser Foundation. Republican voters ranked health care second to Iraq as the top issue.Virtually all major candidates have floated plans for some overhaul to the system.Democrats like Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards favor a universal "safety net" coverage coupled with changes to make existing insurance plans less expensive.Republicans, led by Romney and Rudy Giuliani, oppose new government programs, and instead propose making insurance affordable by streamlining the current system, increasing competition and allowing more tax breaks.Closer to home, the Herald-Tribune asked three people with varying stakes in health care what reforms they would like to see.The uninsured entrepreneurIn one sense, Ken Wingate could be just who Democratic candidates have in mind -- in particular, when they argue that every American needs coverage regardless of income or health.The Sarasota resident cannot get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. An illness this summer forced an emergency room visit -- and left him with a $4,790 bill that he will have to pay out of his pocket."How am I going to come up with that?" he asked.But Wingate also makes a case for Republicans' arguments that forcing all employers to provide health insurance would be a disaster for business.Wingate recently launched a photography business, Kenneth Wingate Photography, which just landed a major retail client. He is wary of legislation that could require all businesses, even small ones like his, to provide health care coverage."Creating legislation out of both sides is the best way to go," Wingate said.Increasing health care coverage without raising costs for businesses leaves the question: Who will pay?Wingate said the government should shift money from the Iraq war and other expenses overseas."More of our taxpayer money needs to be put to taking care of our own, here in our country," he said.The hospital presidentGwen MacKenzie has seen the benefits and the consequences of universal health care coverage.When she ran a hospital system in Detroit, MacKenzie saw Canadian patients come across the border for care when government funding ran low."It was amazing to see how many people who had national health care and also had private insurance coming to Detroit," she said.But since taking the helm of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in 2005, she has seen patients leave mountains of unpaid bills -- some $140 million in just two years.Most are patients with no insurance. They are choosing between paying for groceries and paying a hospital bill -- "and you know which one they choose," she said.But even some insured people do not pay. Many chose to "roll the dice," MacKenzie said, by buying plans with low premiums but high out-of-pocket payments -- charges that they cannot afford when they get sick."Too many times, we see patients with high-deductible health plans that often fail to cover their basic health care costs," she said.So her preference for reform would include elements of both parties' approaches.MacKenzie agrees with Romney's assertion that states can develop their own innovative plans. Those plans would automatically enroll people in a basic insurance plan, allowing them to opt out for private insurance.She likes tax breaks to help small businesses buy health insurance, something the hospital is trying to do through its "Charter Plan" insurance program.Any national plan would have to be careful not to sacrifice depth of coverage just to include all people, she said. Any national plan to expand enrollment, however, must be careful not to cut back on individuals' breadth and depth of coverage."While we want more people to have insurance, we also want them to have meaningful, substantive coverage," she said.The doctorDr. Michael Patete, a Venice ear, nose and throat specialist who has lobbied in Washington, wants to see a truly free market -- meaning less control from both government and insurance companies.With insurance, patients do not know how much their care costs, and do not make informed choices, he said.For example, he said, he might recommend a patient get an MRI test, a sort of high-powered X-ray that can examine soft tissue.With insurance, a patient might only have a $25 copayment and would probably go ahead with the test.But a patient who has to pay the actual cost -- at minimum $400, and usually far more -- might wonder if the test were necessary, what hospital or lab has the best machine, and what prices they charge."Wouldn't you want to know more?" Patete said.Like MacKenzie, Patete had some experience with the Canadian system. His daughter broke an elbow during a trip there. The hospital visit cost $600.Friends of his recently took a child to a Florida emergency room for a leg injury, and X-ray, splint and crutches ran $1,500 -- without the doctor's fee.But he fears a Canadian-style system would lead to two tiers of patients, one paying for the best care, on demand, and the other waiting for safety-net care."The American people are not willing to do that," he said.He would like to see more use of health savings accounts, in which people set aside a tax-exempt portion of their pay to be used for medical expenses.While some candidates espouse that, no one plan seems complete."Nobody's got the right answer," Patete said.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Bradenton Florida Health Insurance
Bradenton Florida Health Insurance News
Do you think Universal Health Care is a good investment for the young children of Bradenton, Florida? It seems to be the hot debate for all of the Presidential candidates this year, 2008. With nearly 9 million children uninsured in Florida, it seems time to come up with a solution. Will a Democratic President bring a Universal Health Care program that will flourish in our modern times? Will the system stay broken if a Republican is re elected?
Will investing in affordable health care coverage for our nation's low-income children saves taxpayer dollars in the long run? Is it the right thing do to.... Nothing is more important than the health of our children. Yet many of the estimated 47 million Americans who go without health insurance every day are children. These kids will either forego health care, which could lead to costly chronic conditions, or land in the emergency room at taxpayer expense.
In 1997, Congress approved by an overwhelming and bipartisan margin the creation of the children's health insurance program to extend health care to 6 million kids across the country. The results have been a resounding success. Since its creation, the program has reduced the number of uninsured kids in America by one-third. Nearly all of those children live in families with income levels not much higher than the federal poverty level, or about $41,000 for a family of four.
Currently 6.6 million low-income kids nationally are enrolled in the health care program. Under the program, money is sent to the states to administer the benefit. The federal match makes up approximately 70 cents of every dollar the State of Florida spends on "KidCare" to provide health insurance to some of Florida's low-income children.
Without this state and federal partnership, the children of Florida would depend on our emergency rooms and other high-cost medical coverage, which in many cases is unpaid and further burdens all taxpayers. Also, with the program providing coverage, many serious illnesses can be prevented and lives can be saved. That's why the Children's Health program is such a worthwhile investment. It gives kids from low-income families access to the care and medicine they need to live healthy lives.
"KidCare" is currently providing coverage for approximately 226,000 children in Florida who are at or below the 200 percent federal poverty level. Unfortunately, this is less than half the children who are eligible for the program. Efforts are ongoing in the Florida Legislature to streamline the process, make it more efficient, and remove barriers to enrollment so that we can provide coverage for the most children possible. But we need continued federal support to increase enrollment and provide a safety net for our children.
Recently, Congress voted to expand the program to provide coverage for up to 10 million kids nationwide. The bill was approved with bipartisan support in the House and Senate. It would reauthorize the program for five years and provide states with sufficient funding to cover an additional 4 million kids. Florida would receive $51 million more in 2008 to cover low-income children, according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Like most legislation that emerges from Congress, this bill is not perfect. But it represents significant progress as we search for ways to reduce the ranks of the uninsured and protect our children.
In addition to covering more kids, this bill shores up dental and mental health benefits. This is particularly important given that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, while 1 in 10 kids suffer from serious mental health problems.
The bill is endorsed by a wide range of groups, including the American Medical Association, AARP and the YMCA.
Millions of kids across the country have been given a healthy start in life thanks to this important program. We can't turn our backs on them now. Our kids are worth it.
Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, helped pass House legislation to renew and expand the Children's Health Insurance Program. State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, is chairman of the Healthy Families Committee in the Florida House and the sponsor of the KidCare reform legislation of the 2007 regular session.
Do you think Universal Health Care is a good investment for the young children of Bradenton, Florida? It seems to be the hot debate for all of the Presidential candidates this year, 2008. With nearly 9 million children uninsured in Florida, it seems time to come up with a solution. Will a Democratic President bring a Universal Health Care program that will flourish in our modern times? Will the system stay broken if a Republican is re elected?
Will investing in affordable health care coverage for our nation's low-income children saves taxpayer dollars in the long run? Is it the right thing do to.... Nothing is more important than the health of our children. Yet many of the estimated 47 million Americans who go without health insurance every day are children. These kids will either forego health care, which could lead to costly chronic conditions, or land in the emergency room at taxpayer expense.
In 1997, Congress approved by an overwhelming and bipartisan margin the creation of the children's health insurance program to extend health care to 6 million kids across the country. The results have been a resounding success. Since its creation, the program has reduced the number of uninsured kids in America by one-third. Nearly all of those children live in families with income levels not much higher than the federal poverty level, or about $41,000 for a family of four.
Currently 6.6 million low-income kids nationally are enrolled in the health care program. Under the program, money is sent to the states to administer the benefit. The federal match makes up approximately 70 cents of every dollar the State of Florida spends on "KidCare" to provide health insurance to some of Florida's low-income children.
Without this state and federal partnership, the children of Florida would depend on our emergency rooms and other high-cost medical coverage, which in many cases is unpaid and further burdens all taxpayers. Also, with the program providing coverage, many serious illnesses can be prevented and lives can be saved. That's why the Children's Health program is such a worthwhile investment. It gives kids from low-income families access to the care and medicine they need to live healthy lives.
"KidCare" is currently providing coverage for approximately 226,000 children in Florida who are at or below the 200 percent federal poverty level. Unfortunately, this is less than half the children who are eligible for the program. Efforts are ongoing in the Florida Legislature to streamline the process, make it more efficient, and remove barriers to enrollment so that we can provide coverage for the most children possible. But we need continued federal support to increase enrollment and provide a safety net for our children.
Recently, Congress voted to expand the program to provide coverage for up to 10 million kids nationwide. The bill was approved with bipartisan support in the House and Senate. It would reauthorize the program for five years and provide states with sufficient funding to cover an additional 4 million kids. Florida would receive $51 million more in 2008 to cover low-income children, according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Like most legislation that emerges from Congress, this bill is not perfect. But it represents significant progress as we search for ways to reduce the ranks of the uninsured and protect our children.
In addition to covering more kids, this bill shores up dental and mental health benefits. This is particularly important given that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, while 1 in 10 kids suffer from serious mental health problems.
The bill is endorsed by a wide range of groups, including the American Medical Association, AARP and the YMCA.
Millions of kids across the country have been given a healthy start in life thanks to this important program. We can't turn our backs on them now. Our kids are worth it.
Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, helped pass House legislation to renew and expand the Children's Health Insurance Program. State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, is chairman of the Healthy Families Committee in the Florida House and the sponsor of the KidCare reform legislation of the 2007 regular session.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Senator Pat Roberts Against Bush Veto On Health Care
The Senate has passed the bill to increase funding for state SCHIP programs. Over 10 million more children will now have health coverage. Will Bush Veto this bill? Senator Pat Roberts think a Veto of this bill will do no good. What do you think?
New York Times) Senate Passes Children’s Health Plan: The Senate gave final approval on Thursday to a health insurance bill for 10 million children, clearing the measure for President Bush, who said he would veto it. The 67-29 vote followed a series of speeches by Republican senators supporting the bill and urging Mr. Bush to reconsider his veto threat. Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, one of 18 Republicans who voted for the bill, said the White House had shown “little if any willingness to come to the negotiating table.”
(Reuters) Congress sends kids health care to Bush: But Bush's threat to veto the children's health care bill has angered some of his own Republicans. Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas said Bush should "rethink" his veto threat and sign the bill. "This bill and this debate has turned into a political showdown," Roberts said during the Senate debate. "Unfortunately, low-income children will be the ones who will ultimately pay the price."
(LA Times) Allies push Bush to pass children's insurance: On the Senate floor, some of the sharpest challenges to Bush's position came from Republicans. The bill's GOP supporters said the administration was misinformed -- and even misleading the public -- when it argued that the bill's provisions for extending aid upward to families far from the poverty line would put the nation on a slippery slope toward socialized medicine. "The administration is threatening to veto this bill because of 'excessive spending' and their belief that this bill is a step toward federalization of healthcare," said Sen.Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), a supporter of the plan. "I am not for excessive spending and strongly oppose the federalization of healthcare. And if the administration's concerns with this bill were accurate, I would support a veto. But, bluntly put, they are not."
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Florida Health Insurance * Republicans View On Health Insurance
Florida has millions of individuals going without health insurance, due to the high cost.. Democracts feel their must be a Universal Health Care Plan, while Republicans think Health Care is just perfect the way it is. What can we as Americans do to fix the broken Health Care system? How many jobs does the Health Care Industry bring to our economy?
Jacksonville, Florida
September 27, 2007 -- Florida Health Insurance Web, in its continuing series, examines the 2008 presidential race and its impact on the State of Florida and how the election may effect Florida Health Insurance benefits and available rates. Morgan Moran in a phone interview said the "sadly the Republican candidates offer little to help Florida's uninsured." Insurance consultant Moran said, If you're one of the tens of million Americans without coverage, or if you don't like the coverage you have, "next November you will have a chance to pick the person who will deliver the best health care plan." So far, "the Democrats seem to be winning the health insurance debate.
We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes.
Last night Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton spoke about her health care plan which, according to Moran, "gives the choice of health insurance plans to pick from and, Clinton said her insurance coverage plans will be affordable." Clinton also said, if you like the health insurance plan you currently have, you can keep it, or switch to a less expensive plan.
On the other side of the isle, Republicans are pointing to terror and border security rather than addressing Americas health care crisis.
Republican Senator John McCain's website John McCain under 'the issues', fails to mention healthcare, Moran said, instead of giving America a health plan; "McCain is focusing on 'fighting Islamic Extremists, Government Spending, Border Security, and Iraq." To be fair, McCain is not the only Republican ignoring healthcare. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has posted nothing about health insurance in his bid for the White House. His Join Rudy web site says, the issues for the upcoming election are: Fiscal Discipline, Cutting Taxes, Winning the War on Terror, Iraq, Public Safety, Judges, Education, The Right to Bear Arms and Marriage.
Governor Mitt Romney, on his 'True Strength for America's Future' website Mitt Romney has his list of campaign issues as: Defeating the Jihadists, Competing with Asia, Taxes, Immigration, Energy, Education and yes, finally, Healthcare. In USA Today, July 5, 2005 Romney said, "We can't have 40 million people saying, 'I don't have insurance', and if I get sick, I want someone else to pay." Individuals have responsibility for their own health care. Romney went on to say "The health of our nation can be improved by extending health insurance to all Americans, not through a government program or new taxes, but through market reforms."
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's campaign said, "The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken, in part because it is only a 'health care' system, not a 'health' system." Huckabee said, "We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes." We can make health care more affordable by reforming medical liability; adopting electronic record keeping; making health insurance more portable from one job to another; expanding health savings accounts to everyone, not just those with high deductibles; and making health insurance tax deductible for individuals and families as it now is for businesses, the Gov said.
Senator Sam Brownback on his web site said the "healthcare system will thrive with increased consumer choice, consumer control and real competition." Brownback went on to say "I will continue to work at the forefront to create a consumer-centered, not government-centered, healthcare model that offer both affordable coverage choices and put the consumer in the driver's seat."
Congressmen Tom Tancredo stand on health care focuses on the uninsured. Tancredo said, "The two major problems are the high cost of care and the number of uninsured." Tort reform and immigration enforcement would save the system billions and drive down costs. As for the uninsured: as many as 25% of them are illegal aliens and should be deported or encouraged to leave. For citizens and legal residents who are employed by businesses which cannot afford coverage, "Tancredo favors association health plans which band small businesses together to access lower cost insurance." For those out of work, state governments should be the primary source of relief, although I would not rule out federal incentives or limited subsidies to make sure families who have fallen on hard times are not without coverage.
About Florida Health Insurance Web
Florida Health Insurance Web is a Florida health insurance consulting service. Find out about health insurance from the experts in a free online or phone consultation. You can get insurance quotes, search rates online by city, read current insurance news and events. Florida Health Insurance Consultants, best rates and free quotes, please contact Morgan Moran @ Florida health insurance web.
Jacksonville, Florida
September 27, 2007 -- Florida Health Insurance Web, in its continuing series, examines the 2008 presidential race and its impact on the State of Florida and how the election may effect Florida Health Insurance benefits and available rates. Morgan Moran in a phone interview said the "sadly the Republican candidates offer little to help Florida's uninsured." Insurance consultant Moran said, If you're one of the tens of million Americans without coverage, or if you don't like the coverage you have, "next November you will have a chance to pick the person who will deliver the best health care plan." So far, "the Democrats seem to be winning the health insurance debate.
We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes.
Last night Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton spoke about her health care plan which, according to Moran, "gives the choice of health insurance plans to pick from and, Clinton said her insurance coverage plans will be affordable." Clinton also said, if you like the health insurance plan you currently have, you can keep it, or switch to a less expensive plan.
On the other side of the isle, Republicans are pointing to terror and border security rather than addressing Americas health care crisis.
Republican Senator John McCain's website John McCain under 'the issues', fails to mention healthcare, Moran said, instead of giving America a health plan; "McCain is focusing on 'fighting Islamic Extremists, Government Spending, Border Security, and Iraq." To be fair, McCain is not the only Republican ignoring healthcare. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has posted nothing about health insurance in his bid for the White House. His Join Rudy web site says, the issues for the upcoming election are: Fiscal Discipline, Cutting Taxes, Winning the War on Terror, Iraq, Public Safety, Judges, Education, The Right to Bear Arms and Marriage.
Governor Mitt Romney, on his 'True Strength for America's Future' website Mitt Romney has his list of campaign issues as: Defeating the Jihadists, Competing with Asia, Taxes, Immigration, Energy, Education and yes, finally, Healthcare. In USA Today, July 5, 2005 Romney said, "We can't have 40 million people saying, 'I don't have insurance', and if I get sick, I want someone else to pay." Individuals have responsibility for their own health care. Romney went on to say "The health of our nation can be improved by extending health insurance to all Americans, not through a government program or new taxes, but through market reforms."
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's campaign said, "The health care system in this country is irrevocably broken, in part because it is only a 'health care' system, not a 'health' system." Huckabee said, "We don't need universal health care mandated by federal edict or funded through ever-higher taxes." We can make health care more affordable by reforming medical liability; adopting electronic record keeping; making health insurance more portable from one job to another; expanding health savings accounts to everyone, not just those with high deductibles; and making health insurance tax deductible for individuals and families as it now is for businesses, the Gov said.
Senator Sam Brownback on his web site said the "healthcare system will thrive with increased consumer choice, consumer control and real competition." Brownback went on to say "I will continue to work at the forefront to create a consumer-centered, not government-centered, healthcare model that offer both affordable coverage choices and put the consumer in the driver's seat."
Congressmen Tom Tancredo stand on health care focuses on the uninsured. Tancredo said, "The two major problems are the high cost of care and the number of uninsured." Tort reform and immigration enforcement would save the system billions and drive down costs. As for the uninsured: as many as 25% of them are illegal aliens and should be deported or encouraged to leave. For citizens and legal residents who are employed by businesses which cannot afford coverage, "Tancredo favors association health plans which band small businesses together to access lower cost insurance." For those out of work, state governments should be the primary source of relief, although I would not rule out federal incentives or limited subsidies to make sure families who have fallen on hard times are not without coverage.
About Florida Health Insurance Web
Florida Health Insurance Web is a Florida health insurance consulting service. Find out about health insurance from the experts in a free online or phone consultation. You can get insurance quotes, search rates online by city, read current insurance news and events. Florida Health Insurance Consultants, best rates and free quotes, please contact Morgan Moran @ Florida health insurance web.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Health Insurance Costs Are High
Are you thinking about starting a new career? If so be sure that you know that health benefits are included. Have you ever thought of starting your own company? Think again, the average costs for family healthcare in the United States is $12,000 per year. Can you afford that? Are your health insurance costs to high?
For Americans not eligible for Medicare, the prospect of getting health insurance can be daunting. It requires navigating a hodgepodge of federal and state laws. Ignoring health insurance can be catastrophic if you wind up in the hospital without coverage.
So what are the options for the self-employed?
"The key is to plan ahead," says David Guilmette, managing director of Towers Perrin's Health and Welfare practice.
The health of you and your dependents, where you live, who you know and what you can afford to pay are among the factors you need to consider when weighing your options, he says.
"Nine times out of 10, if you can get access to employer-sponsored group coverage, take the employer-sponsored policy," says Karen Politz, a research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. "Dollar-for-dollar, you get a lot more protection."
Under federal law, you can't be denied coverage on medical grounds in an employer-sponsored health plan. By contrast, in the majority of states, insurers offering individual policies can permanently exclude pre-existing conditions, such as high cholesterol, or deny you coverage for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. The states where you can't be denied coverage are New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont.
Employer-sponsored group policies are also likely to provide certain benefits, such as maternity care, that individual plans typically don't. A normal pregnancy and delivery can cost $8,000 to $12,000.
If your spouse has access to health-care benefits through his or her employer, getting coverage under that plan is the most cost-effective strategy, according to Ms. Politz.
According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust, an employee's average monthly contribution in an employer-sponsored health plan for family coverage is about $273 and $58 for an individual.
In addition, a growing number of employers are extending health-care benefits to domestic partners. About 47% of the 60% of employers who offer health benefits to employees offer them to opposite-sex domestic partners; 37% to same-sex domestic partners.
Be mindful of deadlines. If you quit your job, your spouse generally has 30 days to notify his or her employer that you want to enroll. Also, employers may limit when domestic partners can sign up, and there can be tax implications, so it's important to check, experts say.
If the first option isn't available, and you currently receive health-care benefits through your employer, you can extend that coverage after you quit. Under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or Cobra, you can purchase coverage for as long as 18 months after you leave or lose your job, providing that you weren't fired for misconduct. For the law to apply, the company must have 20 or more employees.
According to Tom Billet, a senior consultant with Watson Wyatt Worldwide, the main advantage of Cobra is that you will continue to receive the same health benefits as you did under your employer's plan. If you're receiving treatment and it was covered under the plan, this is important. If you join another group plan, temporary exclusions for pre-existing conditions can be imposed.
However, Cobra is much more expensive than job-based coverage because you have to pay the entire premium. Based on figures in the Kaiser Family Foundation study, that would equate to $1,009 a month for family coverage and $373 a month for an individual. You also pay a 2% administration fee.
"Most people have no idea how much health insurance costs," says Vince Ashton, executive director of HealthPass, a nonprofit agency created by the New York Business Group on Health, the City of New York and the health-insurance industry to improve access to coverage for businesses with two to 50 employees.
Typically, your employer has 30 days to notify you of your Cobra rights, and you have a further 60 days to make your decision. Premiums vary greatly from employer to employer, so find how much your plan costs.
About 40% of employers don't offer benefits. If you don't have access to an employer-sponsored plan, you may be able to get coverage through professional associations, trade or affinity groups. However, such coverage isn't as common as it used to be, and associations can deny coverage on health grounds.
Organizations in which health insurance is an incidental benefit rather than its reason for being, and which have strict entry requirements such as requiring a certified public accountant designation, tend to offer the better plans, according to Michael Crifasi, a certified financial planner with CEI Financial Planning, Inc, in Atlanta, who is also an independent insurance agent. It's important to find a well-established plan with a history of reasonable annual renewal rate increases, he adds.
Experts also advise calling your state insurance department to find out if the insurer that underwrites the association's plan is licensed in the state where you live and if your state insurance regulator is authorized to intervene if you have any problems with coverage.
In about a dozen states, a self-employed person can buy health insurance in the small group market. For instance, in Connecticut and Delaware, you are considered a small business even if you are a sole proprietor with no employees. While you can't be denied coverage, many states apply rating bands based on health or adjusted for your age. The exception is Vermont, which requires insurers to charge everyone the same premiums. Most states do set limits on how much insurers can charge. Hawaii doesn't impose any restrictions, so premiums there can be very high. Be aware that some states, like Florida and New Hampshire, have limited annual enrollment windows. See http://www.statehealthfacts.org for information about your state.
If you are healthy, purchasing an individual policy, such as a high-deductible health plan, and opening a tax-free health savings account, or HSA, could be the best option. A Humana PPO policy in Florida with a $5,200 deductible will cost a healthy 54-year-old woman $168 a month. In 2007, she could put as much as $2,850 in a HSA.
"Savings not needed to pay for the deductible and other out-of-pocket medical expenses can accumulate in HSAs for years," especially if you are young and open an account, says Carolyn McClanahan, founder of Life Planning Partners, a financial-planning company in Jacksonville, Fla.
Start your research a year before you plan to leave your job and enlist the help of an independent insurance agent. See your state insurance department's Web site for listings.
RELATED ARTICLES AND BLOGS
Affordable Florida Health Insurance
Florida Health Insurance Web
For Americans not eligible for Medicare, the prospect of getting health insurance can be daunting. It requires navigating a hodgepodge of federal and state laws. Ignoring health insurance can be catastrophic if you wind up in the hospital without coverage.
So what are the options for the self-employed?
"The key is to plan ahead," says David Guilmette, managing director of Towers Perrin's Health and Welfare practice.
The health of you and your dependents, where you live, who you know and what you can afford to pay are among the factors you need to consider when weighing your options, he says.
"Nine times out of 10, if you can get access to employer-sponsored group coverage, take the employer-sponsored policy," says Karen Politz, a research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. "Dollar-for-dollar, you get a lot more protection."
Under federal law, you can't be denied coverage on medical grounds in an employer-sponsored health plan. By contrast, in the majority of states, insurers offering individual policies can permanently exclude pre-existing conditions, such as high cholesterol, or deny you coverage for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. The states where you can't be denied coverage are New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont.
Employer-sponsored group policies are also likely to provide certain benefits, such as maternity care, that individual plans typically don't. A normal pregnancy and delivery can cost $8,000 to $12,000.
If your spouse has access to health-care benefits through his or her employer, getting coverage under that plan is the most cost-effective strategy, according to Ms. Politz.
According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust, an employee's average monthly contribution in an employer-sponsored health plan for family coverage is about $273 and $58 for an individual.
In addition, a growing number of employers are extending health-care benefits to domestic partners. About 47% of the 60% of employers who offer health benefits to employees offer them to opposite-sex domestic partners; 37% to same-sex domestic partners.
Be mindful of deadlines. If you quit your job, your spouse generally has 30 days to notify his or her employer that you want to enroll. Also, employers may limit when domestic partners can sign up, and there can be tax implications, so it's important to check, experts say.
If the first option isn't available, and you currently receive health-care benefits through your employer, you can extend that coverage after you quit. Under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or Cobra, you can purchase coverage for as long as 18 months after you leave or lose your job, providing that you weren't fired for misconduct. For the law to apply, the company must have 20 or more employees.
According to Tom Billet, a senior consultant with Watson Wyatt Worldwide, the main advantage of Cobra is that you will continue to receive the same health benefits as you did under your employer's plan. If you're receiving treatment and it was covered under the plan, this is important. If you join another group plan, temporary exclusions for pre-existing conditions can be imposed.
However, Cobra is much more expensive than job-based coverage because you have to pay the entire premium. Based on figures in the Kaiser Family Foundation study, that would equate to $1,009 a month for family coverage and $373 a month for an individual. You also pay a 2% administration fee.
"Most people have no idea how much health insurance costs," says Vince Ashton, executive director of HealthPass, a nonprofit agency created by the New York Business Group on Health, the City of New York and the health-insurance industry to improve access to coverage for businesses with two to 50 employees.
Typically, your employer has 30 days to notify you of your Cobra rights, and you have a further 60 days to make your decision. Premiums vary greatly from employer to employer, so find how much your plan costs.
About 40% of employers don't offer benefits. If you don't have access to an employer-sponsored plan, you may be able to get coverage through professional associations, trade or affinity groups. However, such coverage isn't as common as it used to be, and associations can deny coverage on health grounds.
Organizations in which health insurance is an incidental benefit rather than its reason for being, and which have strict entry requirements such as requiring a certified public accountant designation, tend to offer the better plans, according to Michael Crifasi, a certified financial planner with CEI Financial Planning, Inc, in Atlanta, who is also an independent insurance agent. It's important to find a well-established plan with a history of reasonable annual renewal rate increases, he adds.
Experts also advise calling your state insurance department to find out if the insurer that underwrites the association's plan is licensed in the state where you live and if your state insurance regulator is authorized to intervene if you have any problems with coverage.
In about a dozen states, a self-employed person can buy health insurance in the small group market. For instance, in Connecticut and Delaware, you are considered a small business even if you are a sole proprietor with no employees. While you can't be denied coverage, many states apply rating bands based on health or adjusted for your age. The exception is Vermont, which requires insurers to charge everyone the same premiums. Most states do set limits on how much insurers can charge. Hawaii doesn't impose any restrictions, so premiums there can be very high. Be aware that some states, like Florida and New Hampshire, have limited annual enrollment windows. See http://www.statehealthfacts.org for information about your state.
If you are healthy, purchasing an individual policy, such as a high-deductible health plan, and opening a tax-free health savings account, or HSA, could be the best option. A Humana PPO policy in Florida with a $5,200 deductible will cost a healthy 54-year-old woman $168 a month. In 2007, she could put as much as $2,850 in a HSA.
"Savings not needed to pay for the deductible and other out-of-pocket medical expenses can accumulate in HSAs for years," especially if you are young and open an account, says Carolyn McClanahan, founder of Life Planning Partners, a financial-planning company in Jacksonville, Fla.
Start your research a year before you plan to leave your job and enlist the help of an independent insurance agent. See your state insurance department's Web site for listings.
RELATED ARTICLES AND BLOGS
Affordable Florida Health Insurance
Florida Health Insurance Web
Monday, September 24, 2007
Congress Vs. Bush on Child Health Care
Orlando, Florida Health Insurance
Congress Tackles Child Health Care
By Carl Hulse
The war in Iraq will take a backseat to domestic issues in Congress this week.
While the Senate wraps up its Pentagon policy debate, much of the focus will be on a children’s health insurance bill that has split Congressional Democrats and the Bush administration. The House intends to approve an expansion of the program as early as Tuesday, with the Senate hoping to vote by the end of the week as well.
President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation, which he and some conservatives in the House and Senate contend is a step toward national health insurance. They also say the program, known as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, was meant to provide care for the working poor while the program pushed by Democrats would extend too far into the middle class.
Michael Leavitt, the secretary of Health and Human Services, stuck to that line Sunday on CNN’s “Late Edition.”
“We need to focus it on low-income children and not use this as an opportunity to move millions of more people on to government-run health insurance,” said Mr. Leavitt. “Everyone needs health insurance. But we’ve got to get down to the business of looking at the big picture, where everyone has insurance, not just children.”
But Democrats like their position on this issue. They believe that the public supports making health insurance more affordable and that many families with middle-class incomes are struggling to provide coverage and care for their children. Some Republicans in both the House and Senate are expected to support the plan.
In addition, Democrats intend to emphasize the Bush administration’s pending request for an additional $50 billion for the war in Iraq while resisting $35 billion more for children’s health over the next five years, with the money generated by a boost in tobacco taxes.
“For this president who helped rack up three trillion dollars in new debt, it is not about the spending, it is about priorities and the president has made his clear,” Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said Sunday in a statement.
With the health care fight looming, Congress is putting off a wider clash with the president over spending. The federal fiscal year ends Sunday and Congress has yet to send any of a dozen spending bills to the White House. Congress is expected to pass a measure that would keep agency spending at current levels to avoid any shutdown of government services. Congress is also expected to approve an increase in the federal debt limit to prevent a default.
Congress Tackles Child Health Care
By Carl Hulse
The war in Iraq will take a backseat to domestic issues in Congress this week.
While the Senate wraps up its Pentagon policy debate, much of the focus will be on a children’s health insurance bill that has split Congressional Democrats and the Bush administration. The House intends to approve an expansion of the program as early as Tuesday, with the Senate hoping to vote by the end of the week as well.
President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation, which he and some conservatives in the House and Senate contend is a step toward national health insurance. They also say the program, known as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, was meant to provide care for the working poor while the program pushed by Democrats would extend too far into the middle class.
Michael Leavitt, the secretary of Health and Human Services, stuck to that line Sunday on CNN’s “Late Edition.”
“We need to focus it on low-income children and not use this as an opportunity to move millions of more people on to government-run health insurance,” said Mr. Leavitt. “Everyone needs health insurance. But we’ve got to get down to the business of looking at the big picture, where everyone has insurance, not just children.”
But Democrats like their position on this issue. They believe that the public supports making health insurance more affordable and that many families with middle-class incomes are struggling to provide coverage and care for their children. Some Republicans in both the House and Senate are expected to support the plan.
In addition, Democrats intend to emphasize the Bush administration’s pending request for an additional $50 billion for the war in Iraq while resisting $35 billion more for children’s health over the next five years, with the money generated by a boost in tobacco taxes.
“For this president who helped rack up three trillion dollars in new debt, it is not about the spending, it is about priorities and the president has made his clear,” Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said Sunday in a statement.
With the health care fight looming, Congress is putting off a wider clash with the president over spending. The federal fiscal year ends Sunday and Congress has yet to send any of a dozen spending bills to the White House. Congress is expected to pass a measure that would keep agency spending at current levels to avoid any shutdown of government services. Congress is also expected to approve an increase in the federal debt limit to prevent a default.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Jacksonville, Florida health insurance * Letters from our readers
Jacksonville, Florida health insurance examination continuesLetters from readers......
Every candidate of this years presidential election seems to be offering a program for Universal Health Care. Why does that seem to be the main topic of this years campaign?
The latest report from the Census Bureau said that 16 percent of Americans do not have health care coverage, which means that 84 percent do.
But, the report also stated that the 45 percent of "Americans" who do not have coverage are "noncitizens," i.e., not Americans.
So, actually, about 91 percent of Americans have health care coverage. Of the remaining 9 percent, the report stated that most are young people who choose not to have coverage. Where's the crisis?
Our politicians should be focusing on a plan that will cover the small number of uninsured Americans who want coverage but can't afford it. They should not try to create a new government-run program that we will all be forced to participate in at tremendous expense.
SCOTT SANBORN
Orange Park, Florida health insurance
HEALTH INSURANCE
Program can cover children
If the federal State Children's Health Insurance Program is allowed to end, 250,000 children in Florida are at risk of losing health insurance on Sept. 30.
With bipartisan support, a House-Senate compromise has been reached that will extend the program for the next five years, and expand coverage to 3.3 million more children than are currently insured.
However, the president has stated he will veto any legislation that calls for expanded coverage for America's children.
Since 1997, SCHIP has successfully provided health insurance to millions of U.S. children. Today, nearly 7 million American children are insured through the program.
Even with passage of the Senate-House compromise, 4 million American children will remain uninsured.
With respect to Florida's SCHIP program, we have the worst record in the country for insuring our children; 550,000 of our children are uninsured.
Legislative and administrative barriers to eligibility and enrollment have resulted in a 50 percent decrease in the number of our children receiving health insurance.
We have sent hundreds of millions of our dollars back to Washington - money that has been used to insure children in other states.
If the Bush administration's plan is enacted, it will have a compounding impact on our children, as federal funding would be capped at the amount we are currently spending.
Please contact your federal legislators immediately to let them know if you support expanding health insurance coverage to 3 million to 6 million more of our children or the Bush administration's plan to cap current coverage.
Also, please contact our state delegation, the Senate president and House speaker to let them know if you are satisfied with the current status of Florida's uninsured children. The president's plan will decrease these numbers even further.
JEFF GOLDHAGEN,
pediatrician,
Jacksonville
JEA
Don't approve bonuses
I have said many times that JEA needs to look at costs before raising rates.
JEA is spending over $6 million on advertising to inform us about how to conserve energy. Due to the cost, the majority of JEA customers conserve energy and water already.
Now we are being told that JEA is prepared to give out bonuses in the amount of $8 million to JEA employees for doing their job. Some of these bonuses will be paid to the same executives who cannot seem to contain costs.
An executive for JEA stated that the bonuses are one-half of the $16 million that JEA saved. Well, simple math tells you that $16 million plus $8 million is $24 million in savings.
In addition, JEA wants to add a 3 percent franchise fee to help the city. How much of that $8 million would go toward helping the city?
The bottom line is, the JEA board should not consider paying any bonuses when rate increases and fees are being added to JEA customers' utility bills. I hope the JEA board has the sense to not approve the bonus payouts and save the $8 million.
ANDY RUSNAK
Jacksonville
TRUANCY
All students need ID
Why is my child, who attends a public school, required to carry a photo ID but home-schooled students do not?
I am a security professional. It just seems to make all jobs harder, because if children or teenagers are in a business during school hours, they claim they are home-schooled and it is hard to disprove.
I am not picking on the home-school program. I am trying to protect it from truant students who attempt to abuse it.
I think photo identification from the School Board, with emergency contact information, would greatly eliminate wasted time by truant officers and businesses trying to stop truancy by having to verify a student's status.
If the School Board wants to help curb truancy, then please help those trying to stop truancy by allowing them to easily identify home-schooled students. Stop those truant students who try to abuse the program.
SHEILA DOYLE
Jacksonville
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Florida Health Care * Bush Will Vetoe
Miami, Florida
President Bush calls the democrats "irresponsible" in trying to improve health care for the many children of this country that go uninsured. He promises to veteo this new legistlation in an attempt to use his power....(Read More)
Friday, September 21, 2007
Clintons Health Insurance Proposal
Will insurance rates soon be affordable? Check out this article and let me know what you think on Hillary Clintons new health plan proposal. Is it far fetched? We want to know.
Clinton's Florida Health Insurance Proposal
Clinton's Florida Health Insurance Proposal
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Florida Health Insurance * Regulators Look To Reform
Jacksonville, Florida
The Health Insurance Advisory Board of Florida has considered a list of legistlative recommendations that adress many aspects of health care reform.
The board, which is chaired by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, will consider the list during a public hearing Sept. 17 at noon at the Senate Office Building in Tallahassee.
Also during the hearing, the board will hear a presentation on expenditures of low-income pool dollars and other sources of funding for the care of uninsured persons, and will review a draft of a report on Florida's commercial health insurance market.
The Agency for Healthcare Administration will present an update on its efforts to improve the transparency of health care systems. The Heritage Foundation, a think tank that promotes conservative public policies, will make a presentation on its proposals for health care reform.
The Health Insurance Advisory Board of Florida has considered a list of legistlative recommendations that adress many aspects of health care reform.
The board, which is chaired by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, will consider the list during a public hearing Sept. 17 at noon at the Senate Office Building in Tallahassee.
Also during the hearing, the board will hear a presentation on expenditures of low-income pool dollars and other sources of funding for the care of uninsured persons, and will review a draft of a report on Florida's commercial health insurance market.
The Agency for Healthcare Administration will present an update on its efforts to improve the transparency of health care systems. The Heritage Foundation, a think tank that promotes conservative public policies, will make a presentation on its proposals for health care reform.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Floida Health Insurance * Hillary Clinton Promotes Health-Care
Miami, Florida
Florida Health Insurance Web reports Democratic contenders continue their appeals to everyday voters, as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York promotes her health-care ideas on the morning chat shows and through a Webcast tonight. And this seems like econ week for Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, who plans to outline a set of tax cuts for the middle class during a speech here in Washington this afternoon.
According to a release from his campaign, the proposal would provide $80 billion to $85 billion in tax cuts to workers, older people and homeowners. The full plan is posted on his Web site. At Nasdaq in New York yesterday, he criticized Wall Street executives for not doing enough to protect middle-class interests.
Meanwhile, Senator Clinton will not only hold a Webcast tonight to take questions about her health care plan, she is also is putting up a new television ad in Iowa and New Hampshire. It’s warm and fuzzy: she holds babies and talks about fighting for children’s insurance programs.
Patrick Healy and Robin Toner of The New York Times examine her health insurance proposal in detail, against the backdrop of her previous efforts to push a far broader plan during her husband’s administration. They include some new survey results:
A CBS News poll released Monday night suggests that Mrs. Clinton has already turned the health care issue from a liability to an asset, at least among Democratic primary voters: 61 percent said they had confidence in her ability to make the right decisions on health care, compared with 42 percent who felt that way about Mr. Obama, and 39 percent about Mr. Edwards. The survey also found that few voters held her responsible for the failure to pass universal health insurance during her husband’s presidency.
While mentioning estimates that her plan could cost $110 billion a year, The Wall Street Journal looks at how Mrs. Clinton is trying to turn old enemies in the business world into allies by offering tax breaks as part of the proposal.
On the other hand, The Los Angeles Times takes stock of the ways her proposal underscores how she has become the main target for Republican candidates. Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney both weighed in with criticism of her plan yesterday. Interestingly, The Boston Globe finds similarities between her plan and a Romney-backed state law to insure Massachusetts residents.
Health insurance in Florida is on Romney's agenda today for another “Ask Mitt Anything” town hall meeting, this one in Orange Park. Fred Thompson also campaigns in Florida today.
And Mr. Giuliani heads to London for meetings and fundraisers. As The Washington Post notes, several of the candidates or their spouses are wooing expatriot American voters overseas.
Florida Health Insurance Web reports Democratic contenders continue their appeals to everyday voters, as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York promotes her health-care ideas on the morning chat shows and through a Webcast tonight. And this seems like econ week for Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, who plans to outline a set of tax cuts for the middle class during a speech here in Washington this afternoon.
According to a release from his campaign, the proposal would provide $80 billion to $85 billion in tax cuts to workers, older people and homeowners. The full plan is posted on his Web site. At Nasdaq in New York yesterday, he criticized Wall Street executives for not doing enough to protect middle-class interests.
Meanwhile, Senator Clinton will not only hold a Webcast tonight to take questions about her health care plan, she is also is putting up a new television ad in Iowa and New Hampshire. It’s warm and fuzzy: she holds babies and talks about fighting for children’s insurance programs.
Patrick Healy and Robin Toner of The New York Times examine her health insurance proposal in detail, against the backdrop of her previous efforts to push a far broader plan during her husband’s administration. They include some new survey results:
A CBS News poll released Monday night suggests that Mrs. Clinton has already turned the health care issue from a liability to an asset, at least among Democratic primary voters: 61 percent said they had confidence in her ability to make the right decisions on health care, compared with 42 percent who felt that way about Mr. Obama, and 39 percent about Mr. Edwards. The survey also found that few voters held her responsible for the failure to pass universal health insurance during her husband’s presidency.
While mentioning estimates that her plan could cost $110 billion a year, The Wall Street Journal looks at how Mrs. Clinton is trying to turn old enemies in the business world into allies by offering tax breaks as part of the proposal.
On the other hand, The Los Angeles Times takes stock of the ways her proposal underscores how she has become the main target for Republican candidates. Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney both weighed in with criticism of her plan yesterday. Interestingly, The Boston Globe finds similarities between her plan and a Romney-backed state law to insure Massachusetts residents.
Health insurance in Florida is on Romney's agenda today for another “Ask Mitt Anything” town hall meeting, this one in Orange Park. Fred Thompson also campaigns in Florida today.
And Mr. Giuliani heads to London for meetings and fundraisers. As The Washington Post notes, several of the candidates or their spouses are wooing expatriot American voters overseas.
Florida Health Insurance Blog
Find more information on Florida health insurance here....Florida Health Insurance Web news Blog. Post comments on current situation with the crisis we know as HEALTH INSURANCE!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Florida Health Insurance Debate
Senate Debate Over Health Insurance
July -- Jacksonville, Florida Health Insurance
Republican's Fight Bill
The health insurance debate continues in Washington. The House Democrats are trying to pass a measure that will raise taxes on tobacco - and some minor cuts to Medicare insurers to pay for the proposed $50 billion expansion of a children's health insurance program.
The new health insurance proposal could eliminate or lower the reimbursement rate for doctors who treat Medicare patients. The 10 percent cut is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 would give doctors a 0.5 percent increase in their reimbursement rates each of the next two years when they treat Medicare patients.
Democrats point to tobacco as another way to pay for the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Health Insurance Consultant, Morgan Moran of Florida Health Insurance Web said, leaders want to pay for the plan with a 45 cent increase (excise tax) on every pack of cigarettes sold. They would also lower payments to many insurance plans participating in the Medicare Advantage program over the next four years.
the new insurance bill takes on the new Medicare drug benefit. Moran said, "When this bill hits the Senate, "they will consider the tax cigarettes" which could raise 60 billion over the next five years.
President Bush speaking at a press conference said "he would veto the insurance bill." The President has made his feeling clear about health insurance saying American's have health insurance, if they're sick, and need a doctor, they can go to the emergency room." Some members of Congress, like Pete Stark from California said, "historians will deal with that".
Insurance specialist Moran said, "more than 6 million people, including about 600,000 adults", get health insurance coverage ( www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com ) each year through SCHIP. The federal government pays for about 70 percent of the SCHIP program and the states like Florida pay the rest.
The health insurance bill is quite long and deals with much more than SCHIP. It would eliminate cost-sharing for preventive services in Medicare, such as cancer screenings. In addition, it reduces the co-payment on mental health outpatient services from 50 percent to 20 percent.
The insurance bill would also freeze reimbursement rates for some Medicare providers next year, such as: home health agencies, nursing homes and long-term care hospital. Moran said, "the new insurance bill takes on the new Medicare drug benefit." Currently, Medicare recipients must have less than $11,700 in assets to qualify for extra help in paying for their medicine. The new House bill would increase that payment threshold to around $17,000.
Moran estimates, "the overall cost of the bill at about $90 billion over five years." On Fox News, Republican leaders have made it clear that "they believe the proposed expansion of SCHIP is too large."
The ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, Jim McCrery who is against the measure released a statement saying "The health insurance bill will continue to increase taxpayer-funded coverage for adults and middle-class children and move the United States toward a system of completely government-controlled health care". Democrats said the bill would allow 5 million uninsured children to become insured and deny that the proposal would expand eligibility for the program.
Florida Health Insurance Stats
Here are a few facts: Health Insurance Premiums Rose 11.2% in two years - Premiums Increased at Five Times The Rate of Growth in Workers’ Earnings and Inflation -- About Five Million Fewer Workers Covered By Their Own Employer’s Health Insurance Since 2001. In Washington, DC – Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums increased an average of 11.2% in 2004 -- less than last year’s 13.9% increase, but still the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to the 2004 Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET). Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose at about five times the rate of inflation (2.3%) and workers’ earnings (2.2%).
In 2004, premiums reached an average of $9,950 annually for family coverage ($829 per month) and $3,695 ($308 per month) for single coverage, according to the new survey. Family premiums for PPOs, which cover most workers, rose to $10,217 annually ($851 per month) in 2004, up significantly from $9,317 annually ($776 per month) in 2003. Since 2000, premiums for family coverage have risen 59%.
The survey also found that the percentage of all workers receiving health coverage from their employer in 2004 is 61%, about the same as in 2003 (62%) but down significantly from the recent peak of 65% in 2001. As a consequence, there are at least 5 million fewer jobs providing health insurance in 2004 than 2001. A likely contributing factor is a decline in the percentage of small employers (three to 199 workers) offering health insurance over this period. In 2004, 63% of all small firms offer health benefits to their workers, down from 68% in 2001.
“The cost of family health insurance is rapidly approaching the gross earnings of a full-time minimum wage worker,” said Drew Altman, President and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation. “If these trends continue, workers and employers will find it increasingly difficult to pay for family health coverage and every year the share of Americans who have employer-sponsored health coverage will fall.”
“Since 2000, the cost of health insurance has risen 59 percent, while workers wages have increased only 12 percent. Since 2001, employee contributions increased 57 percent for single coverage and 49 percent for family coverage, while workers wages have increased only 12 percent. This is why fewer small employers are offering coverage, and why fewer workers are taking-up coverage,” said Jon Gabel, vice president for Health Systems Studies at the Health Research and Educational Trust.
The survey was conducted between January and May of 2004 and included 3,017 randomly selected public and private firms with three or more employees (1,925 of which responded to the full survey and 1,092 of which responded to an additional question about offering coverage). This is the sixth year the joint survey was conducted by Kaiser and HRET, and the 17th year this survey has been conducted overall. Findings appear in the September/October issue of the journal Health Affairs.
Survey highlights include:
Worker contributions. This year, workers on average contribute $558 of the $3,695 annual premium cost of single coverage and $2,661 of the $9,950 cost of premiums for family coverage. Average employee contributions for single coverage are statistically unchanged from 2003, while average employee contributions for family coverage grew by 10% – a similar rate to the average overall premium increase. The percentage of premiums paid by workers is statistically unchanged over the last several years, at 16% for single coverage and 28% for family coverage.
Cost-sharing. Cost sharing rose modestly in 2004 compared to the larger increases observed in recent years. Most covered workers are in health plans that require a deductible be met before most plan benefits are provided. In PPO plans, which cover more than half of all workers with health benefits, the average deductible for single coverage is $287 for services from preferred providers and $558 for services from non-preferred providers, about the same as in 2003. In addition, half of covered workers must either pay a separate deductible (average $224) or pay additional co-insurance (averaging 16% of the costs) when they are admitted to the hospital. The proportion of covered workers facing a $20 copayment for an office visit increased to 27% in 2004 from 19% in 2003.
Consumer-driven plans. While about 10% of all firms offer a high-deductible plan to covered workers this year, only about 3.5% of those firms offer a personal or savings account option along with a high-deductible plan. These accounts permit employers (and sometimes employees) to make pre-tax contributions, which can be used by employees to pay for routine medical care. The survey finds that employers, particularly larger firms, are interested in high-deductible plans (a plan with a deductible of at least $1,000 for single coverage). About 6% of all firms (accounting for 13% of covered workers) say that they are “very likely” to offer such a plan within two years, and another 21% of all firms (accounting for 26% of covered workers) say that they are “somewhat likely” to do so.
Type of insurance. In 2004, PPOs continue to be the most common form of health coverage, with more than half (55%) of all employees with health coverage enrolling in a PPO. HMOs, which cost significantly less than PPOs, cover about 25% of covered workers. Conventional, or indemnity, benefit plans have all but disappeared, covering just 5% of covered workers. These enrollment shares are statistically unchanged from 2003.
“You have to look over the past several years to really understand why Americans are so worried about health care costs. Just for premium contributions alone, families are paying $1,000 more this year for their health coverage than they paid in 2000,” Dr. Altman said. “More than any other factor, these out-of-pocket cost increases are what's driving voter concern about health.”
Facing continued premium increases, many employers say they looked to make cost-saving changes in the past year. Among firms offering coverage, 56% report that they shopped for a new plan in the past year. Of those firms, 31% (17% overall) report changing insurance carriers in the past year and 34% (19% overall) report changing the type of health plan offered.
When asked about future plans, about half (52%) of large firms (200 or more workers) say they are “very likely” to increase employee contributions in the next year. In contrast, just 15% of small firms (3 to 199 workers) say that they are “very likely” to increase employee contributions next year.
Across all firms offering coverage, relatively low percentages say that they are “very likely” in the next year to raise deductibles (9%), raise office visit cost-sharing (5%), raise prescription drug copayments (5%), introduce tiered networks for physicians or hospitals (2%), or restrict eligibility for benefits (1%). In addition, 3% of firms say they are “very likely” to drop health coverage entirely in the near future.
July -- Jacksonville, Florida Health Insurance
Republican's Fight Bill
The health insurance debate continues in Washington. The House Democrats are trying to pass a measure that will raise taxes on tobacco - and some minor cuts to Medicare insurers to pay for the proposed $50 billion expansion of a children's health insurance program.
The new health insurance proposal could eliminate or lower the reimbursement rate for doctors who treat Medicare patients. The 10 percent cut is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 would give doctors a 0.5 percent increase in their reimbursement rates each of the next two years when they treat Medicare patients.
Democrats point to tobacco as another way to pay for the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Health Insurance Consultant, Morgan Moran of Florida Health Insurance Web said, leaders want to pay for the plan with a 45 cent increase (excise tax) on every pack of cigarettes sold. They would also lower payments to many insurance plans participating in the Medicare Advantage program over the next four years.
the new insurance bill takes on the new Medicare drug benefit. Moran said, "When this bill hits the Senate, "they will consider the tax cigarettes" which could raise 60 billion over the next five years.
President Bush speaking at a press conference said "he would veto the insurance bill." The President has made his feeling clear about health insurance saying American's have health insurance, if they're sick, and need a doctor, they can go to the emergency room." Some members of Congress, like Pete Stark from California said, "historians will deal with that".
Insurance specialist Moran said, "more than 6 million people, including about 600,000 adults", get health insurance coverage ( www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com ) each year through SCHIP. The federal government pays for about 70 percent of the SCHIP program and the states like Florida pay the rest.
The health insurance bill is quite long and deals with much more than SCHIP. It would eliminate cost-sharing for preventive services in Medicare, such as cancer screenings. In addition, it reduces the co-payment on mental health outpatient services from 50 percent to 20 percent.
The insurance bill would also freeze reimbursement rates for some Medicare providers next year, such as: home health agencies, nursing homes and long-term care hospital. Moran said, "the new insurance bill takes on the new Medicare drug benefit." Currently, Medicare recipients must have less than $11,700 in assets to qualify for extra help in paying for their medicine. The new House bill would increase that payment threshold to around $17,000.
Moran estimates, "the overall cost of the bill at about $90 billion over five years." On Fox News, Republican leaders have made it clear that "they believe the proposed expansion of SCHIP is too large."
The ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, Jim McCrery who is against the measure released a statement saying "The health insurance bill will continue to increase taxpayer-funded coverage for adults and middle-class children and move the United States toward a system of completely government-controlled health care". Democrats said the bill would allow 5 million uninsured children to become insured and deny that the proposal would expand eligibility for the program.
Florida Health Insurance Stats
Here are a few facts: Health Insurance Premiums Rose 11.2% in two years - Premiums Increased at Five Times The Rate of Growth in Workers’ Earnings and Inflation -- About Five Million Fewer Workers Covered By Their Own Employer’s Health Insurance Since 2001. In Washington, DC – Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums increased an average of 11.2% in 2004 -- less than last year’s 13.9% increase, but still the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to the 2004 Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET). Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose at about five times the rate of inflation (2.3%) and workers’ earnings (2.2%).
In 2004, premiums reached an average of $9,950 annually for family coverage ($829 per month) and $3,695 ($308 per month) for single coverage, according to the new survey. Family premiums for PPOs, which cover most workers, rose to $10,217 annually ($851 per month) in 2004, up significantly from $9,317 annually ($776 per month) in 2003. Since 2000, premiums for family coverage have risen 59%.
The survey also found that the percentage of all workers receiving health coverage from their employer in 2004 is 61%, about the same as in 2003 (62%) but down significantly from the recent peak of 65% in 2001. As a consequence, there are at least 5 million fewer jobs providing health insurance in 2004 than 2001. A likely contributing factor is a decline in the percentage of small employers (three to 199 workers) offering health insurance over this period. In 2004, 63% of all small firms offer health benefits to their workers, down from 68% in 2001.
“The cost of family health insurance is rapidly approaching the gross earnings of a full-time minimum wage worker,” said Drew Altman, President and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation. “If these trends continue, workers and employers will find it increasingly difficult to pay for family health coverage and every year the share of Americans who have employer-sponsored health coverage will fall.”
“Since 2000, the cost of health insurance has risen 59 percent, while workers wages have increased only 12 percent. Since 2001, employee contributions increased 57 percent for single coverage and 49 percent for family coverage, while workers wages have increased only 12 percent. This is why fewer small employers are offering coverage, and why fewer workers are taking-up coverage,” said Jon Gabel, vice president for Health Systems Studies at the Health Research and Educational Trust.
The survey was conducted between January and May of 2004 and included 3,017 randomly selected public and private firms with three or more employees (1,925 of which responded to the full survey and 1,092 of which responded to an additional question about offering coverage). This is the sixth year the joint survey was conducted by Kaiser and HRET, and the 17th year this survey has been conducted overall. Findings appear in the September/October issue of the journal Health Affairs.
Survey highlights include:
Worker contributions. This year, workers on average contribute $558 of the $3,695 annual premium cost of single coverage and $2,661 of the $9,950 cost of premiums for family coverage. Average employee contributions for single coverage are statistically unchanged from 2003, while average employee contributions for family coverage grew by 10% – a similar rate to the average overall premium increase. The percentage of premiums paid by workers is statistically unchanged over the last several years, at 16% for single coverage and 28% for family coverage.
Cost-sharing. Cost sharing rose modestly in 2004 compared to the larger increases observed in recent years. Most covered workers are in health plans that require a deductible be met before most plan benefits are provided. In PPO plans, which cover more than half of all workers with health benefits, the average deductible for single coverage is $287 for services from preferred providers and $558 for services from non-preferred providers, about the same as in 2003. In addition, half of covered workers must either pay a separate deductible (average $224) or pay additional co-insurance (averaging 16% of the costs) when they are admitted to the hospital. The proportion of covered workers facing a $20 copayment for an office visit increased to 27% in 2004 from 19% in 2003.
Consumer-driven plans. While about 10% of all firms offer a high-deductible plan to covered workers this year, only about 3.5% of those firms offer a personal or savings account option along with a high-deductible plan. These accounts permit employers (and sometimes employees) to make pre-tax contributions, which can be used by employees to pay for routine medical care. The survey finds that employers, particularly larger firms, are interested in high-deductible plans (a plan with a deductible of at least $1,000 for single coverage). About 6% of all firms (accounting for 13% of covered workers) say that they are “very likely” to offer such a plan within two years, and another 21% of all firms (accounting for 26% of covered workers) say that they are “somewhat likely” to do so.
Type of insurance. In 2004, PPOs continue to be the most common form of health coverage, with more than half (55%) of all employees with health coverage enrolling in a PPO. HMOs, which cost significantly less than PPOs, cover about 25% of covered workers. Conventional, or indemnity, benefit plans have all but disappeared, covering just 5% of covered workers. These enrollment shares are statistically unchanged from 2003.
“You have to look over the past several years to really understand why Americans are so worried about health care costs. Just for premium contributions alone, families are paying $1,000 more this year for their health coverage than they paid in 2000,” Dr. Altman said. “More than any other factor, these out-of-pocket cost increases are what's driving voter concern about health.”
Facing continued premium increases, many employers say they looked to make cost-saving changes in the past year. Among firms offering coverage, 56% report that they shopped for a new plan in the past year. Of those firms, 31% (17% overall) report changing insurance carriers in the past year and 34% (19% overall) report changing the type of health plan offered.
When asked about future plans, about half (52%) of large firms (200 or more workers) say they are “very likely” to increase employee contributions in the next year. In contrast, just 15% of small firms (3 to 199 workers) say that they are “very likely” to increase employee contributions next year.
Across all firms offering coverage, relatively low percentages say that they are “very likely” in the next year to raise deductibles (9%), raise office visit cost-sharing (5%), raise prescription drug copayments (5%), introduce tiered networks for physicians or hospitals (2%), or restrict eligibility for benefits (1%). In addition, 3% of firms say they are “very likely” to drop health coverage entirely in the near future.
Tampa Florida Health Insurance * Giuliani Breezes Through State
Tampa Florida Health Insurance
Giuliani Breezes Through State
Skip directly to the full story.
By WILLIAM MARCH The Tampa Tribune
Published: Sep 18, 2007
TAMPA - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani devoted a quick, one-day tour of Florida on Monday mainly to bashing the health care reform plan released the same day by potential Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, calling it "socialized medicine."
With his schedule altered by transportation problems, Giuliani breezed quickly through a planned appearance at a cafe frequented by Tampa Bay Young Republicans in Tampa's South Howard Avenue district. After just five minutes of meeting and greeting, he headed downtown for a $2,300-a-person fundraiser organized by his prominent Tampa supporter, Al Austin.
He did a public appearance and a fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale, and stopped in Miami, before coming to Tampa.
Clinton proposed a health care plan that would require individuals to buy health insurance, and require businesses to offer it to employees or contribute to a fund to offer it.
The plan is similar in some ways to one instituted by one of Giuliani's Republican opponents, Mitt Romney, while he was Massachusetts' governor.
Giuliani told reporters in Tampa that Hillary's plan is "government-mandated medicine, government-regulated medicine. Mandated health care ends up being socialized medicine, deteriorated medicine."
Giuliani, who has had prostate cancer, contended that the chances of survival for a patient with his illness in the United States were twice those of a similar patient in Britain, which has a national health care program.
Giuliani has proposed a plan including tax deductions to help people buy insurance. Under his plan, people wouldn't have to pay taxes on up to $15,000 of income that they spend for health insurance and health care costs.
"My approach is to encourage people to buy their own health insurance … give people incentives to buy health insurance, not demand that they do it," he told reporters in Fort Lauderdale.
Asked in Tampa whether he considers the Massachusetts plan "socialized medicine," Giuliani, who was being hustled into his car by aides, didn't answer.
Giuliani Breezes Through State
Skip directly to the full story.
By WILLIAM MARCH The Tampa Tribune
Published: Sep 18, 2007
TAMPA - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani devoted a quick, one-day tour of Florida on Monday mainly to bashing the health care reform plan released the same day by potential Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, calling it "socialized medicine."
With his schedule altered by transportation problems, Giuliani breezed quickly through a planned appearance at a cafe frequented by Tampa Bay Young Republicans in Tampa's South Howard Avenue district. After just five minutes of meeting and greeting, he headed downtown for a $2,300-a-person fundraiser organized by his prominent Tampa supporter, Al Austin.
He did a public appearance and a fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale, and stopped in Miami, before coming to Tampa.
Clinton proposed a health care plan that would require individuals to buy health insurance, and require businesses to offer it to employees or contribute to a fund to offer it.
The plan is similar in some ways to one instituted by one of Giuliani's Republican opponents, Mitt Romney, while he was Massachusetts' governor.
Giuliani told reporters in Tampa that Hillary's plan is "government-mandated medicine, government-regulated medicine. Mandated health care ends up being socialized medicine, deteriorated medicine."
Giuliani, who has had prostate cancer, contended that the chances of survival for a patient with his illness in the United States were twice those of a similar patient in Britain, which has a national health care program.
Giuliani has proposed a plan including tax deductions to help people buy insurance. Under his plan, people wouldn't have to pay taxes on up to $15,000 of income that they spend for health insurance and health care costs.
"My approach is to encourage people to buy their own health insurance … give people incentives to buy health insurance, not demand that they do it," he told reporters in Fort Lauderdale.
Asked in Tampa whether he considers the Massachusetts plan "socialized medicine," Giuliani, who was being hustled into his car by aides, didn't answer.
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