Massachusetts: Portals to Shop for Health Insurance plans
July 31, 2008
In the state of Massachusetts, it is illegal not to have health insurance. The citizens face a tax penalty of $912 in case they don’t acquire health insurance. To help citizens, the state aids them in the selection process through a special web portal. The insurance mandate was passed by the state legislature in April of 2006 with an effective date of July 2007. By May 2007, the state needed to begin helping citizens in the insurance shopping process. This was needed to help citizens complete their important paperwork before the July deadline. Read more
Health Insurance Survey launched by County Chamber
July 27, 2008
In order to find out subscriber preferences when selecting an insurance plan, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Insurance Committee has launched a health insurance survey. The survey is directed towards those businesses that are currently enrolled in the Chamber’s insurance program and towards those that are eligible to enroll.
The survey was launched on July 17th and is accessible through August 15th. It aims to analyze subscriber preferences in relation to coverage options, co pay amounts, provider preferences, plan design and open enrollment. Chamber members currently enrolled and those with fifty or lesser employees who are eligible to enroll are free to participate in the survey. Erin Andersen, insurance coordinator for the Chamber said that the survey will be helpful in gaining input directly from those people for whom the insurance program is intended. The feedback received will go a long way in coming up with an insurance plan that meets the needs of both employers and employees.
Single-Payer Health Care receives Backing from U.S. Mayors!
July 24, 2008
On June 23rd, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution that endorses HR 676 which is the National Health Insurance Act. Introduced by Rep. John Conyers, the bill entails expansion of the Medicare system to envelope everyone in the country under a national single-payer health insurance system. This resolution of the mayors’ is being seen as a huge leap forward in the on-going battle for national health care. Around 1,139 American cities which have a population of 30,000 or more had their mayors presiding at this conference.
Sheila Dixon, the mayor of Baltimore said that this resolution carries enormous weight as unlike elected leaders; the mayors of cities are closer to their people at the grass root level. Citizens who had gathered at the conference showed much appreciation for this step taken by their mayors. Read more
