As it is the states that have control over the healthcare and health insurance within them, and not the federal government, it is now up to state officials to get the most out of the Obama administration’s reforms to the healthcare system to keep insurance rates under control. The federal government has been pushing insurers to hold back large increases in their rates and will, starting in September, make it necessary for insurance companies to experience greater analysis before they will be permitted to increase their rates by 10 percent…
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Part III – Official goals and challenges of U.S. health care reform – A hope for better care, delivery, and costs
We have journeyed through the aspirations of the up-in-coming reform of the U.S. health care system with cost cutting tactics, preventative procedures, incentivizing medical industry and now, in part three, we will review the last set of guidelines through measure and patients rights. Helping individuals to take control over their own medical needs Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) – beneficiaries will be able to obtain information on the incidence of serious HACs as they occur at various hospitals. Hospitals will experience a decrease in payments if they have a high rate of HACs…
Read More26 states vs. Obama’s lawyers in health care reform law appeal
Twenty six states have argued against lawyers representing President Barack Obama in an appeal over the government’s healthcare reform law. This new law is one of the foundation elements of Obama’s presidency and has been met with significant controversy. The arguments were presented in Atlanta to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. According to Neal Katyal, senior administration lawyer, the main argument of the government is that the health care reform law is constitutionally sound for three primary reasons: Under the constitution, congress has the authority to regulate the interstate…
Read MoreGeorgia eyeballs health care reform ramifications before jumping in
A new panel has been formed in Georgia to determine whether or not the state will benefit from creating a health insurance exchange. The panel is comprised of a group of legislators, health care experts and representatives of advocacy groups, all appointed by Governor Nathan Deal. The group will be tasked with examining how an exchange will impact small businesses in the state and if the program will reduce insurance prices as it promises to. Governor Deal asserts that no decision regarding whether the state should established an exchange should…
Read MoreColorado on board with new health care reform changes
Colorado is taking steps to create a health insurance exchange as Governor John Hickenlooper signs a bill that would make the effort possible. Colorado is the eighth state to voluntarily adhere to the health care reform law championed by President Obama. The bill will also set up a regulatory group to oversee the exchange. The group will be comprised of nine members, four of which coming from the insurance industry. The Governor is tasked with finding these members, a search he has already been doing nearly a month before he…
Read MoreOregon health care reform approved by Senate
Oregon is one step closer to passing a bill that would allow for the creation of a health insurance exchange. Late last week, the House Health Care Committee approved the bill, which will now await a final vote in the Senate. The bill will also establish a public agency that will oversee the exchange and regulate rate changes therein. The agency will be funded from a portion of fees collected by insurance companies that are participating in the exchange program. State officials expect that the program will be operational in…
Read MoreWashington state health insurance exchange receives additional funding
Washington has recently received a federal grant worth $23 million that will help establish a health insurance exchange program in the state. According to the Affordable Care Act, each state must have a fully operational exchange set up by 2014. The government is providing a significant amount of money to help in this effort. Washington is among the few states that have made sufficient progress toward an exchange to warrant additional federal funding. Despite the controversy surrounding healthcare reform, many support the concept of health insurance exchanges. State health officials…
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