As health care reform continues to be a hotly contested issue throughout the nation, Maine is embroiled in its own battle regarding the state’s health insurance regulations. Earlier this week, a bill was introduced that would seek to overhaul the current regulatory standard in the hopes of increasing competition in the state’s health insurance market, thereby driving down insurance rates. Introduced by Representative Jonathan McKane (R), the bill has received rigid opposition from Democrats who say that consumer protections are being put at risk. The promise that the bill will…
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Oregon health insurance rates on the rise
Health insurance providers in Oregon have been seeking approval for rate increases for nearly a year. Some may be getting their wish, but will not be able to raise rates as much as they had originally planned. The Oregon Insurance Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services has granted approval for half of the rate proposals they have been reviewing over the past year. While many companies will not see the increases they had hoped for, consumers stand to save more money on their policies. The Division approved…
Read MoreNew Jersey: Government run health plan looking to close their doors
In New Jersey, hundreds of cities and school districts have saved a fortune by taking part in the state’s relatively unknown benefits program. For the past three years, an increasing number of people are dropping the insurance policies they bought from big name companies in favor of the state’s program. Some legislators are looking to change that by proposing a new bill that could severely inhibit the program. Stephen M. Sweeney, the State Senate president, is proposing legislation that would prohibit the state run insurance program from accepting new members.…
Read MoreThe Nation’s scorecard for health care performance
The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that promotes higher performing levels of health care, released a new report showing a state to state comparison of health care performance. The report or some refer to as a scorecard, paid special attention to children’s health care and was judged on 20 different criteria’s, some of those being: access to care, treatments, insurance and prevention. Cathy Schoen, senior VP of the Commonwealth Fund, stated in a news release, “The study demonstrates how policies designed to maintain children’s health insurance and access to health…
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