The National Governors Association has written a letter to the U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius regarding federally mandated health insurance exchanges. The exchanges have received mixed reviews from state officials, many of whom are still grappling with the vague guidelines provided to them by the Department of Health and Human Services. In the letters, Governors detail how the exchanges may damage a state’s autonomy, as the federal government may end up taking control of certain aspects of the exchange initiative. While the letter does not decry the establishment of exchanges,…
Read MoreTag: health care reform article
Legal battle regarding federal insurance mandate to take place in Minnesota this week
The latest development in the ongoing saga of opposition against the federal Affordable Care Act is set to take place the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Minnesota this week. The provision in question is an insurance mandate imposed by the new law that states that all U.S. citizens must purchase some kinds of health insurance or face major penalties. Two Missouri residents have filed a lawsuit against the federal government concerning the matter. While the lawsuit itself comes only from two people, they are backed by…
Read MoreObama administration’s nationwide health insurance framework
The federal government has – through the announcement of a framework for the Obama administration’s basic benefits package for Americans who are privately insured –made public its decision to play a vital role in the healthcare of the country, and the reforms it has made to it. The Institute of Medicine, a non-government, independent organization, has released a report with the guidelines for what is called the “essential benefits package”, as well as the way in which it will be kept affordable for both taxpayers and small businesses, while it…
Read MoreInstitute of Medicine introduces new recommendations concerning insurance exchanges
Health insurance exchanges are, perhaps, the most accepted provision of last year’s Affordable Care Act. While some states have railed against the notion of the federally mandated program, most have been eager to explore their options. States have been slow to pass legislations making the exchanges possible, but have wasted no time in making preparations for the system. According to a new report from the Institute of Medicine, however, the future of insurance exchanges may be in jeopardy if federal legislators cannot solve the expensive flaws in the system. Exchanges…
Read MoreWest Virginia continues to work toward a health insurance exchange backed by recommendations from state regulators
Despite the controversy and vague fate of the Affordable Care Act, West Virginia will be continuing to adhere to one of the provisions of the federal law. State lawmakers have determined that a health insurance exchange would serve the needs of the state well and, earlier in the year, tasked state regulators with researching the steps necessary to make the initiative a reality. Regulators have issued a series of updates to lawmakers, bringing them up to speed on what must be done and where money is needed most. A great…
Read MoreInstitute of Medicine submits recommendations for national health care package
The Institute of Medicine, a non-profit independent organization comprised of medical and insurance professionals, has submitted recommendations to the federal government concerning a health care initiative that would make basic benefits available to all Americans. The organization was tasked by Congress to determine action regarding the initiative earlier this year. Researchers have been examining the potential impact the plan would have on the nation’s economy and how it would synergize with the overarching health care law. According to the Institute, such a plan is well worth the effort. According to…
Read MoreGeorgian judges rule against federal health insurance mandate
A federal appeals court in Atlanta, Georgia, has ruled against the federal insurance mandate as laid out by the Affordable Care Act. The ruling from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals is only the second in the nation where judges founding the mandate unconstitutional. This is a major victory for opponents of the health insurance mandate as the ruling will hasten the law to the Supreme Court where its ultimate fate will be decided. Georgia has opposed the concept of a federally imposed health insurance mandate since the law was…
Read More