North Carolina Health Insurance
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.
Town Hall Protests Seen as Not Derailing Health Reform
CQ Today reports that town hall protests, while loud and angry, have not had their desired effect: to derail President Obama’s health insurance overhaul effort. In DC, staff meetings on the bills continue and Democratic leaders are mounting an effort to help their rank-and-file members counter criticism of the legislation, especially any erroneous claims. However, if the protests are sustained and proponents of the overhaul do not respond with more robust demonstrations of support, some are concerned Democrats eventually will scale back their legislation. In what CQ calls a worst-case scenario for liberals, Democrats could be forced to drop plans to create a government-run insurance plan that would compete with private plans, the so-called ‘public option.’
White House Escalates Campaign Against Healthcare Reform “Myths”
ABC World News (8/13, lead story, 3:00, Gibson) reporting, “After days of raucous, in your face town hall meetings about healthcare reform, the White House [Thursday] said enough, and launched its own email chain letter campaign to counter the critics and try to get the upper hand in the intense national debate. Supporters of reform say opponents are using malicious misinformation, trying to kill reform for political purposes.” ABC’s Tapper added, “The last few weeks have been dominated by opponents of President Obama’s healthcare reform push. White House officials insist it’s not too late for the President to make his case to the American people.”
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.
Speaker Pelosi Indicates She has the Votes for Health Care Reform
In eHealthInsuranceNews.com, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday there is “no question” that she has the votes to pass healthcare reform legislation even as key Democrats retreated from their predictions of progress. Republicans mocked Pelosi’s assertion, sending out a list documenting 42 House Democrats who have said they oppose or have concerns about the bill. But the list includes some members who will almost certainly vote for the measure, such as House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.).
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OBAMA Promises Health Care Reform this Year
In his speach to the nation yasterday, President Barack Obama vowed to pass health care reform this year and keep it frow swelling the deficit. “We will pass reform that lowers costs, promotes choice, and provides coverage that every American can count on. And we will do it this year.” However, Obama’s plan has left many worrying who will foot the bill. Many North Carolina Health Insurance companies are concerned about how this plan will affect them.
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.
Insurance Options for the Self-Employed
The self-employed have their own unique challenges in finding and keeping health insurance. The self-employed typically have to apply for individual health insurance, which is individually underwritten by health insurance companies. This means if you or a family member you need covered have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be turned down for a health insurance policy. This often can mean the difference between self-employment, or staying in an unfullfilling job which, at least, provides health insurance protection for their famiy. Get NC Health Insurance has many options for the self employed. Contact us to see what plans might be a good fit for you!
Student Health Insurance Options
Long before the first class of the first college semester begins, prospective students and their families need to begin doing their homework to ensure that their health coverage will not only continue uninterrupted, but that coverage will receive more than a passing grade. Get NC Health Insurance is positioned to assist those looking for individual health insurance.
A recent report released by the Government Accounting Office revealed that roughly 1.7 million traditional age college students are uninsured in the United States. It’s a disturbing statistic, considering that young Americans – while tending to be more healthy – are among the group of Americans also more likely to end up in the emergency room.
