Tag: health care law

Health care law ’s uncertain future spurs contingency plans throughout the country

Nordstrom
North Carolina Insurance News

Politicians and employers begin to plan for the future Though the U.S. Supreme Court seems to be taking its time in rendering a verdict on the controversial Affordable Care Act, many large and small businesses, as well as politicians from throughout the country, have begun establishing back-up plans for what the future may hold. The health care law was brought to the Supreme Court by the actions of 26 states and other organizations and individuals that opposed the law’s controversial provisions. The decision of the Supreme Court is expected to…

Read More

Cutting individual insurance mandate could have dire consequences for health care, says RAND

S.Vagus

A new study from the RAND Corporation, a non-profit institution that provides research and analysis for various political endeavors, suggests that axing the mandatory health insurance provision from the Affordable Care Act could be a costly mistake. The health care law has generated a large amount of controversy for its various provisions that introduce dramatic changes to the nation’s tax, insurance and medical services structure. None of these provisions have been quite as contentious as the health insurance mandate. The mandate, and the law as a whole, will be heading…

Read More

State of the Union: President Obama touches briefly on the issue of health care

S.Vagus

President Obama delivered his third State of the Union on Tuesday. The president spoke about many issues concerning the U.S. in his speech, but only made one mention of the controversial Affordable Care Act he signed into law in 2010. In his address, the president noted that it was no longer possible for insurance companies to operate with impunity and must submit to new regulations that help protect consumers. Obama also stated that part of the goal of the health care reform law was to get rid of regulations that…

Read More

Indiana’s request for exemption from the medical loss ratio rule is denied

S.Vagus

Earlier in the year, Indiana’s Department of Insurance submitted an official request to the federal government seeking to free the state’s insurance companies from the medical loss ratio requirement of the Affordable Care Act. The health care law dictates that all insurers should spend no less than 80% of the money they collect on premiums on improving medical care. According to the law, if companies fail to meet the requirement, they must return the money to consumers. Indiana’s request for an exemption from the rule has been denied by the…

Read More

Insurance regulators pass controversial resolution to amend the Affordable Care

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) gathered this week to vote on a controversial resolution that would have drastic effects on a consumer protection clause of the Affordable Care Act. The provision would have saved consumers nationwide approximately $1 billion in premiums while offering them protections from future rate hikes. The provision is also part of the controversial medical loss ratio provision of the health care law – which requires insurers to pay no less than 80% of their premium money on medical care. Regulators have been divided on…

Read More