Government shutdown stops worker pay but not heath care coverage

Government Shutdown - Sorry we're closed sign

As this record breaking ongoing shutdown continues, federal employees continue their health insurance. The government shutdown continues to stop 800,000 federal employees and others from receiving their paychecks. That said, as they go unpaid, many have questions about their employee health insurance and other health benefits. Workers are worrying about their health, vision, dental and long-term care coverage. For those who wonder about their insurance benefits, most will continue even while workers go unpaid. Federal employees, for the most part, don’t need to worry that the government shutdown will affect…

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USAA insurance company offered military members financial help during shutdown

servicemembers military USAA Insurance company

The insurer was providing interest-free loans to military members whose paychecks were impacted by the government shutdown. Military members whose paycheck depends on the government staying open had a bit of help from the USAA insurance company. The insurer offered military members interest-free loans to help them to fill the gap until they start getting paid again. USAA members in the armed services were essentially offered interest-free payday loans. The money wasn’t being handed out for free, but the USAA insurance company did provide armed services who wouldn’t be paid…

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US government shutdown leaves CHIP without funding

US government shutdown CHIP

Senate failed to pass the House-sponsored continuing resolution (CR) to the president on Friday. The Senate was unable to advance the House-sponsored CR ahead of a US government shutdown last week. It left the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) unfunded, placing many states at risk of losing their medical coverage for kids from low income families. The “Cadillac tax” has also failed to move forward, as the government shutdown began at midnight on Saturday. The six year extension of CHIP funding had bipartisan support. Both Republicans and Democrats were in…

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New York health insurance exchange hit by technical difficulties

New York Health Insurance

Health insurance exchange website encounters problems New York’s health insurance exchange has begun open enrollment on schedule, but the exchange’s website has been experiencing some technical difficulties. The site is meant to serve as the face for the exchange and functions as the marketplace through which state residents can purchase health insurance policies. The site is quite similar to those that exist in other states, but New York officials have found that there are some glitches that escaped discovery when the site was being tested last month. Site upgraded to…

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Summary: Health reform and government shutdown

Health Care Reform

Government shutdown and its impact on health insurance and reform For the first time in 17 years, the U.S. federal government has been shut down. This comes as federal lawmakers failed to reach a compromise on the controversial Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare. Opponents of the Affordable Care Act have sought to pull funds from the law, prohibiting its implementation. Lawmakers have also sought to delay the enactment of the law for a whole year, hoping to see health care reform take effect in 2015 rather than 2014. Supporters…

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