The ideological divides between the House and Senate and between Republicans and Democrats are coming to a head as Medicare negotiators move into the final stretch in drafting a bill. Opponents continued this week to criticize the bill, especially the doughnut hole in the benefit and the risks of private plan options -- criticisms which no doubt will continue next year whether or not a bill … [Read more...] about The Final Stretch
Open Enrollment Choices
IN THIS ISSUE: ? Consumer Driven Conference in Nashville ? Washington Post on Open Enrollment Choices ? "Bowling Alone" Medicine? ? USAToday on Open Enrollment Decisions ? KC Star on Open Enrollment Options ? New Individual Plan from California Blue Cross ? Large Employers Leave Many Uninsured ? "Uninsured Catastrophe" Consumer Driven Conference in Nashville We are going to … [Read more...] about Open Enrollment Choices
Open Enrollment Choices
IN THIS ISSUE: ? Consumer Driven Conference in Nashville ? Washington Post on Open Enrollment Choices ? "Bowling Alone" Medicine? ? USAToday on Open Enrollment Decisions ? KC Star on Open Enrollment Options ? New Individual Plan from California Blue Cross ? Large Employers Leave Many Uninsured ? "Uninsured Catastrophe" Consumer Driven Conference in Nashville We … [Read more...] about Open Enrollment Choices
How Much Things Change?
?and how much they stay the same. The health policy debates on both sides of the Atlantic are remarkably similar. There are entrenched forces determined to resist change and fight to the end for solidarity, even if it means the decline and decay of the very programs they are trying to protect. And there are new voices courting the transformative power of consumers and markets. This was the theme … [Read more...] about How Much Things Change?
HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
IN THIS ISSUE: ? HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking ? Hawaii Looking at MSAs to Enhance Competition ? Wisconsin Reforms Blasted by Business Group ? Cost Insulation Raises Prices for All ? Spending Other People's Money - Priceless ? New Choices for Employees ? Small Employers Switch to CD Plans ? Anthem Merges With WellPoint HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking … [Read more...] about HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
IN THIS ISSUE: ? HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking ? Hawaii Looking at MSAs to Enhance Competition ? Wisconsin Reforms Blasted by Business Group ? Cost Insulation Raises Prices for All ? Spending Other People's Money - Priceless ? New Choices for Employees ? Small Employers Switch to CD Plans ? Anthem Merges With WellPoint HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and … [Read more...] about HSSAs Out of Medicare, HSAs Alive and Kicking
Down to the Wire
Medicare conferees appear to have completed work on the specifics of a prescription drug benefit for Medicare that basically follows the House structure. And now the fun begins. Senate Democrats announced yesterday that the magic number of 41 senators ? enough to sustain a filibuster ? vowed to vote against any bill that eventually would draw Medicare into price competition with private health … [Read more...] about Down to the Wire
Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating
IN THIS ISSUE: ? Galen?s New Web Site ? Health Benefits Reform List Coming In-House ? Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating VENDOR CORNER ? John Alden/Fortis Health Offer Small Group HRAs ? GreatWest Healthcare Develops Shared Deductible ? Aetna and Humana Win School District Contracts ? BCBS of North Carolina Offers Defined Contribution ? AMS Offers High Deductible Individual … [Read more...] about Labor Strife Over Benefits Self-Defeating