Role of the Federal Insurance Office questioned at recent panel hosted by the U.S. Treasury Department

As the insurance landscape begins to change and take a new form, the role of the Federal Insurance Office, a federal agency set up after the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, is being questioned. Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department hosted a panel regarding new insurance regulations. At the panel, consumer advocacy groups, legislators and regulators offered their views of the Federal Insurance Office and what role it should play in the future’s insurance industry. The opinions given were varied, with many consumer groups claiming that the…

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Supreme Court orders briefings ahead of health care showdown

In November, the Supreme Court announced that it would be hearing cases regarding the Affordable Care Act. Appeals from 26 states regarding the matter will come to a conclusion once the high court determines whether the health care law is constitutional. Before judicial proceeding can commence, however, the Supreme Court has ordered briefings regarding the issue. Those involved in the case are being called to explain their position and offer their perspective on the constitutionality of the health care law. To date, the Supreme Court has agreed to consider questions…

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Alabama Insurance Exchange Commission to submit recommendations on a state-run exchange system by the end of this week

Alabama is moving closer to establishing its own health insurance exchange as the state’s Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission finishes its work this week. The agency was formed earlier this year at the order of Governor Robert Bentley. The agency was tasked with determining the proper course of action to take when the time comes to make an exchange program. The Commission plans to submit its proposals for the program later this week, at which point the state Legislature will vote on the fate of a state-run insurance exchange. Exact…

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President Obama`s healthcare law and the Supreme Court

The United States and the healthcare industry were shaken up with the federal statute entitled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Before it was passed, during the discussions and voting and even today, there is much debate on whether or not this statute is unconstitutional. While there have been numerous cases going through the appellate courts in different areas of the country, the findings are typically mixed. The Supreme Court has the ability to pick and choose the cases it takes on. In March of 2012, there are over…

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American Medical Association seeks open market-style health insurance exchanges

The American Medical Association has started to apply pressure to the states in order to send the system in a direction that would permit all health insurance companies of meeting the minimum standards to take part in the insurance exchanges that will be created by 2014 as a part of the healthcare overhaul. This significant doctors organization has announced that it will be putting its full support behind the health insurance exchange structure that allows for an open marketplace instead of the “active purchaser” style alternative. That latter technique would…

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