Live Insurance News

Medicaid report shows little difference from the private sector

November 21, 2012April 30, 2013

Medicaid offers nearly identical level of coverage As health insurance in the U.S. continues to be a controversial issue, the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, has released a new report concerning the much-debated Medicaid program. Under the Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010, states are required to expand the accessibility of their Medicaid programs. These states are meant to receive some degree of aid from the federal government, but many have opposed the notion of expanding their programs due to the high costs that would…

ING Group wins more time to divest in insurance businesses

November 21, 2012November 20, 2012 S.Vagus

ING Group awarded time by the European Commission for divestment efforts The ING Group, one of the world’s largest financial services companies, has been working to divest its insurance operations over the past several months. The company has been met with several challenges in this task and has petitions the European Commission, the legislative arm of the European Union, for more time, a request that has been granted this week. The European Commission had originally set a deadline for the company it divest its insurance businesses by the end of…

West Virginia weighs options on health insurance exchange

November 20, 2012November 19, 2012 Nordstrom

West Virginia may partner with federal government West Virginia is making strides in building a health insurance exchange program, but the state’s plans have hit a snag in the form of finances. The state, like others in the country, is required to host a health insurance exchange by the Affordable Care Act. Though some state officials have shown opposition to the federal health care law, West Virginia remains on track to comply with the law by 2014. The state will not run the exchange on its own, however, as state…

Department of Health and Human Services may need to refine approach on state exchanges

November 20, 2012November 19, 2012 Dan

Department of Health and Human Services State Exchanges

Department of Health and Human Services sees problems with exchange provision President Obama has won a second term as president and that has major implications for the Affordable Care Act. The health care reform law have been shrouded in controversy since its passage in 2010, but has remained intact for the past two years. One of the provisions of the law calls for the establishment of health insurance exchanges. This provision has been well received by some states, but completely opposed by others. Now, the federal government, through the Department…

Louisiana will not build a health insurance exchange

November 19, 2012November 15, 2012 Marc

Health insurance industry news federal government

Louisiana rejects plans to build an exchange program Louisiana has become the latest state to inform the Department of Health and Human Services that it will not run its own health insurance exchange. The state has been examining the viability of an exchange program for some time, but has been fundamentally opposed to the overarching Affordable Care Act. The state’s stance on the health care reform law has put it at odds with the federal government’s insistence that states build a working health insurance exchange. Governor Jindal notifies federal agency…