The ongoing discussions between the Roman Catholic Church and the Obama Administration over the federally mandated health insurance coverage that includes services for family planning has lead to a compromise that is designed to take all priorities into account. Catholic Bishops have been speaking out against the model for employer-provided health insurance which requires them to cover birth control and other family planning care products and services which they feel are morally wrong. Equally, though, the government feels that it is equally reprehensible to allow an employer to make an…
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Controversial contraceptive care initiative emerges with compromise from President Obama
Earlier this month, the Obama administration announced that health insurance companies and health care organizations must provide coverage for contraceptive care. The announcement drew the ire of religious communities in the U.S. who claimed that the regulation infringed on their freedom to practice their beliefs. The outcry was not ignored by the administration and President Obama has announced changes will be made to the regulation for the sake of compromise. Despite this new development, however, religious organizations are still opposing the regulation as a whole. According to the new compromise,…
Read MoreHHS rules that organizations with religious affiliations must provide coverage for contraceptives
The Obama administration recently introduced a new law that requires insurers to provide coverage for contraceptives. The plan has put many religious associations on edge as such coverage may run counter to their beliefs. This has led many of these associations to seek exemption from the rule. Such is the case with the University of Notre Dame, which petitioned the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be discounted from the law. Late last week, the HHS ruled that all institutions with religious affiliations must adhere to the law.…
Read MoreNew report shows that states are making progress on health insurance exchanges
A new report from the White House has released a new report on the progress of health insurance exchanges in the U.S. The report shows that 28 states, as well as the District of Columbia, are making major strides in establishing their own exchanges. The exchanges are part of the Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010. They are meant to bring affordable insurance options to consumers who have had trouble finding coverage in the past. Though many states have shown support for the idea of exchanges, the issue…
Read MoreReport highlights the sluggish growth of health care spending due to U.S. recession
The worldwide recession has had a major impact on the health care system of the U.S. The effects are quite obvious in terms of insurance. As thousands of people throughout the country lost their jobs, they also lost their health insurance coverage. The recession, which lasted from late December 2007 to the middle of 2009, suppressed health care spending in the U.S. significantly, according to the federal government. The Obama administration released a report this week from the Department of Health and Human Services showing the impact of the recession…
Read MoreObama gives states control over healthcare benefit levels
The Obama administration has announced that it has shifted the power from the federal government to the states themselves in deciding the level of medical benefits that will be required for coverage by insurance companies beginning in 2014. The purpose of this move was to help to eliminate the chance that there would be a clash between the states and the federal government regarding a foundational element of the new healthcare overhaul. The new regulation means that state leaders will hold more control over the limits for health insurance even…
Read MoreFederal government to give Hawaii over $14 million for its insurance exchange development
Hawaii will be receiving, $14,440,144 from the federal government in order to assist with the development and implementation of the Hawaii Health Connector, which is the state’s online insurance exchange. The exchange is meant to provide consumers with the ability to find healthcare plans that they can afford. The announcement of the upcoming funding was made by Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Representative Colleen Hanabusa, and Representative Mazie K. Hirono. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be providing the funding to the state through…
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