Blue Cross Blue Sheild of North Carolina
Senate Finance Committee drops end-of-life provisions from draft reform bill.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Senate Finance Committee has decided to scrap the part of its healthcare bill that in recent days has given rise to fears of government ‘death panels,’ with one lawmaker suggesting the proposal was just too confusing.
CQ HealthBeat reports that on Thursday, Finance Committee member Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) said that the committee dropped consideration of end-of-life provisions similar to those that have prompted claims by opponents that the House health overhaul bill authorizes so-called ‘death panels. The panel, according to Sen. Grassley has been trying to avoid ‘unintended consequences’ by working methodically through the consequences of policy options. The end-of-life provisions were dropped entirely because of the way they could be misinterpreted and implemented incorrectly, Grassley said, adding, “Maybe others can defend a bill like the Pelosi bill that leaves major issues open to interpretation but I can’t.”
The Boston Globe adds that the language is still in the House legislation, which would permit Medicare to pay doctors for voluntary counseling sessions on end-of-life issues, including living wills, making a close relative or friend a healthcare proxy, hospice care, and information about medications for chronic pain. According to the Globe, the issue illustrates the intense passions in the healthcare debate. The phrase ‘death panels” proved to be a volatile buzzword, and it quickly caught on in talk radio, cable television, and at town hall meetings conducted by members of Congress on summer recess.
Healthcare Debate Shifts to Television Screens
The CBS Evening News reported, “As tempers flare in the healthcare debate, both sides are employing everything in their arsenals to win over Americans.” USA Today reports the “healthcare battle…is shifting to television screens as groups on each side of the issue launch multimillion-dollar ad blitzes to influence the debate. Advocacy groups such as the US Chamber of Commerce and the AARP are spending a combined $500,000 on healthcare ads every day.” Groups on all sides have invested a combined $57 million in healthcare ads this year…and supporters have outspent those who oppose the legislation by roughly 2-to-1.
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Offers Many Great Health Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers many outstanding individual North Carolina health insurance plans for people who buy their own health insurance. With traditional managed-care plans as well as high deductible health savings account plans to choose from, Blue Cross Blue Shield has a plan that will fit just about every health insurance need and budget. To find out more about these plans, go to www.getnchealthinsurance.com today!
OBAMA Needs Health Care Reform in 2009
In order to gain momentum for successful Health care reform, President Obama needs to make every attempt to gain some momentum for his program in 2009. Those intersted in NC Health Insurance are watching closely that activities that are taking place. Health care reform may end up being the primary moniker for Obama’s presidency. Without making headway with a program in 2009, many believe that it will be difficult for the President to gain much footing for a health care program in 2010 and beyond.
Layoffs Increase Need for Individudal Health Insurance
With the economy lagging, unemployment running at a 30-year high, and people facing layoffs and reductions in force, many are being forced to look for health insurance in the individual markets as a cost effective alternative to COBRA. In many cases, individual health insurance plans can save consumers significantly when compared to COBRA premiums - especially in the case of young and/or healthy applicants. Getnchealthinsurance.com is a licensed agent of Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and offers many individual health insurance options. These alternatives might be a much better option than COBRA.
North Carolina Mental Health Insurance Changes
Many NC residents are on the market for North Carolina Health Insurance plans which provide a substantial mental health benefit. A Medical News Today article outlined that the NC General Assembly’s passing of the “mental health parity” last year required several common mental health conditions be covered at levels equal to physical issues. A Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesperson commented that the insurance company anticipates the cost associated with this mandate to be less than 0.5%.
Read more: North Carolina Health Insurance – Mental Health Parity
State Health Plan Lacks Direction
An audit of the State Employees’ NC Health Insurance plan says the state lawmakers have done a poor job of overseeing the health plan that affects nearly 650,000 state employees, retirees, and teachers. The report further states that the plan should be turned over to an executive branch agency. The audit says that the legislative oversight committee for the state health plan rarely met and did not discover until very late that the plan’s finances had taken a significant downturn. Latest statistics show that the plan could face a deficit of nearly $280 million in the current fiscal year that ends June 30.
Comprehensive Individual Health Insurance Plans Available through GetNCHealthInsurance.com
GetNCHealthInsurance.com is a licensed, full-service insurance agency for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. GetNCHealthInsurance.com offers Medical Insurance Plans (both PPO and HSA plans) Dental Insurance Plans, as well as Medicare Supplement and Part D Prescrition Drug Plans. Rebekah McSwain is a BCBSNC President’s Club Producer and is ready to assist you with whatever your NC Health Insurance needs might be. Visit the website at www.getnchealthinsurance.com or give Rebekah a call at 919-881-2380.
Presidential Candidates Face Health Insurance Challenge
Barack Obama and John McCain both have big-ticket proposals to change how people obtain and pay for health insurance, including NC Health Insurance programs. A long history of failed health-reform plans shows how difficult it is to achieve that goal. And the job only got tougher for any future president with the financial meltdown. However, a report by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association indicates that even with the difficult economic times, neither candidate is signaling any intention to scale back their health care plans.
Affordable NC Health Insurance Options
Affordable NC Health Insurance is an issue that many people are facing. With the sagging economy, many families are having to decide on whether to buy gas and food, or to pay their health insurance premiums. In many cases, the health insurance policies are being forfeited. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC has many different insurance programs that are designed to fit a wide range of health insurance needs. The professionals at Get NC Health Insurance can assist you with determining the best plan for your situation. Check out their website or give them a call at 919-881-2380.
