Latest News + Info
The latest information relating to the health insurance industry.
Benefit cuts are workers’ top worry, Gallup reports
Employee Benefit Adviser reports: "American workers are more concerned about cuts in their benefits than losing their jobs, according to a Gallup poll released today. Forty percent of workers surveyed August 9-12 said they are concerned that their benefits will be...
Oversight Committee Asks IRS to Explain Recent Rule that Expands Obamacare’s Reach in a Way Not Authorized in Law
The Committee on Oversight & Government Reform reports: *(CORRECTION—an earlier version of this release included inaccurate letter text; release is unchanged—corrected text follows release…apologies for the error) (WASHINGTON)—Committee on Oversight and Government...
Blue Cross parent reports weaker second-quarter results
Crains reports: "Bottom-line income for the parent of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois fell sharply during the second quarter as demand for medical care surged, a sign that the economy is strengthening. Health Care Service Corp.'s net income fell 28 percent,...
Small Businesses Consider Self-Insured Health Plans
Insurance News Net reports: "Aug. 14--You wouldn't think a discussion about stop-loss insurance would produce "spirited" debate, but that's allegedly what transpired this weekend when the National Association of Insurance Commissioners met to deliberate on the issue...
Health care reform law’s tax hikes are coming: Who pays?
Leader Telegram reports: "Who gets thumped by higher taxes in President Barack Obama's health care law? The wealthiest 2 percent of Americans will take the biggest hit, starting next year. And the pain will be shared by some who aren't so well off — people swept up in...
Papa John’s Pizza To Raise Prices Because Of Obamacare, CEO John Schnatter Says
Huff Post reports: "After President Obama's health care law takes full effect, the slogan for national pizza chain Papa John's may need an update. Instead of, “Better ingredients. Better Pizza,” may we suggest, “Better health care. Pricier pizza." Papa John's CEO John...
Federal Government Building Health Care Markets Despite GOP Governors’ Opposition
Huf Post reports: "Republican governors who've balked at creating new private insurance markets under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul may end up getting stuck with the very thing they're trying to avoid. Unless Mitt Romney wins in November, states that...
Under Health Law, ‘No-Cost’ Birth Control Starts Today
NPR reports: "Beginning today, most new and renewing health insurance plans must begin offering a broad array of women's preventive health services, most notably coverage of birth control, at no upfront cost. But even as they take effect, the new rules remain the...
Key Findings of the July Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll
Kaiser Family Foundation reports: "July's second Health Tracking Poll reports in further depth on public opinion toward the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the wake of last month's key Supreme Court decision. When it comes to the individual mandate, the Court’s verdict...
Government on track with federal health exchanges: official
Reuters reports: "The Obama administration on Friday said it is on track to set up federal health insurance exchanges by 2014 in U.S. states that fail to establish their own regulated insurance markets under the U.S. healthcare reform law. The Health and Human...