Lawmakers in Maine have been working toward new health care laws in an effort to improve the state’s insurance market. Yesterday, Governor Paul LePage signed a new law that may clash with federal regulations that will come into effect the being of 2014. The new law will allow insurers to raise rates for older policyholders which, in some cases, can end up being five times higher compared to policies held by younger people. This comes into direct conflict with the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, as do a number of…
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Clock ticking for New York health insurance reform requirements
Lawmakers in New York are being urged to propose a bill that would establish a health insurance exchange program in the state. Exchanges are one of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. All states are required to establish one by 2014, but several advocacy groups say that there is no time to waste. One of these groups, Health Care for All New York, hosted a press conference late last week, calling upon legislators to take action. “Over a million New Yorkers will be getting insurance through this program,” says…
Read MoreNew legislation proposed to watch over health insurance rate increases
As one of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s insurance companies will be required to spend at least 85% of the money they collect from premiums on improving the quality of medical care. However, the law does not designate any governing body as the regulatory of the mandate. This has led Senator Dianne Feinstein of California to propose new legislation that would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services regulatory authority over proposed rate increases of 10% or more. Feinstein asserts that insurance premiums are rising…
Read MoreHot debate over mandatory health insurance continues in court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit began hearing arguments earlier this week in what many legal academics are calling a crucial case. This began the challenge of examining two lawsuits charging that Congress exceeded its authority when it passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A board made up of three judges listened and debated basic points of constitutional law with attorneys for over two hours in the first appellate arguments. The appeals are based on decisions made by federal courts in Virginia. One federal court ruled that…
Read MoreThe battle over health care reform dominance continues with a few good swings
The newly enacted Health Reform law is taking hits again. The House Republicans voted to repeal grant funding for a part of the health care law that would create insurance exchanges across the states. These marketplaces would let individuals and (small) businesses shop and compare policies and their prices. The Republicans voted to deny the funding for the insurance marketplace plan, which is a key element of the reform law. The Republicans feel that it gives too much power to the government to set coverage and plan details. The Republicans…
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