So they do agree on something...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/healthcare/la-na-healthcare-common-ground2-2009aug28,0,6609509.story

Take a look at the article above. As things have reached a boiling point, it appears that behind the scenes legislators are looking at what could they actually accomplish on health care reform. As mentioned previously on this blog--Democrats and Republicans agree maybe on 80% of the reform. Where does this put us--with lots of insurance reform and probably very little health care reform.

Is this the best solution? We think reform should occur in all areas that impact our health care...delivery, distribution, research and personal accountability. The end result of insurance only reform is more adminstrative burden for employers and most likely higher cost to cover the mandates(insurance companies won't absorb them).

September is right around the corner...

3 potentials and review of a functioning coop

So another week, a lot more rhetoric. It appears that basically 3 outcomes exist.

1. A bipartisan effort that offers little in substantial reform--notable insurance reuglatory changes--but not much for the average consumer.

2. A modified version that may anger some on the left(not enough reform) and gain little to no support on the right(too much government). It appears this effort would include a cooperateive.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2009-08-20-group-health-insurance_N.htm

3. Finally, the Democrats may go at this alone. Using tactics such as reconcilation and using the 60 votes in Senate to stop any filibuster.

In short the month of September will be pivotal. Lots of hand wringing in between. We still feel reform will happen this year and for clients with less than 100 employees (and most likely 250 employees) the impact will be notable.

Projected cost of Health Insurance Premiums by 2020

Curious as to what the world may look like without health reform? Take a look at the chart in this blog from Kaiser and the Commonwealth Fund. We continue to hear legitimate concerns about health reform, but we are also hearing loudly that employers and employees are at the end of their limits when it comes to paying for health insurance.

With renewals in the 20-30 percent range--we think our client's concerns are valid. Making plan concessions and requiring employee contributions is a solution--but not year end and year out. The medical inflation number of 10 to 12 percent is logically not sustainable. We hope that reform discussions continue to adress inequities within insurance, but also within the areas of tort reform, pharma control and what physicians and hospitals receive. Without addressing all areas--especially the "cost of care", private plans and public plans will fail equally.

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Blog/Why-Health-Reform-Must-Counter-the-Rising-Costs-of-Health-Insurance-Premiums.aspx

Is Public Plan Option Off the Table?

Most news sources we are reading now indicate that the Obama administration may drop the idea of a public, or government-run healthcare plan. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Sunday that a new, government-run health insurance program wasn't the "essential element" of any overhaul plan. She said the administration would consider a bill that includes the creation of a not-for-profit insurance cooperative as an alternative to a government-run plan.

Senator Kent Conrad (D- North Dakota) signaled Sunday that there are not enough votes in the Senate for the public option. He said that the proposed cooperative is the only plan that appears to have bipartisan support. The Wall Street Journal reported today on the White House's apparent compromise in the article below:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125043830465934883.html

USA Today also reported on this news in the attached article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-08-16-health-care-public-option_N.htm


Stay tuned for more details and developments in the days to come!

August Heat + Health Care Reform Debate = Vigorous Debate

It doesn't appear that our congressional representatives are going to get much rest during their August recess. They will be challenged to read, digest and understand many thousands of pages of healthcare proposals. This onerous task, combined with the intense heat of the summer and ever-increasing passion over the health care debate, is keeping their phones ringing and email boxes full. Some legislators have actually had their systems crash due to the onslaught of feedback from constituents on both sides of the debate. Town-hall style meetings have led to shouting matches, and even fisticuffs in some cases. I heard this morning on a national news show that a NC representative had actually cancelled a town-hall meeting due to a death threat. Unbelievable!

No matter where you stand on this issue, it's clear that healthcare is very personal and that Americans are passionate about the topic. It touches everyone - - - regardless of their income, education or social status. The implications of a massive overhaul of the current system are daunting...."how will we pay for it?," "will I still be able to see my doctor?," "can we assure that everyone be covered?" and the questions go on...

It will be interesting to hear the President speak in Portsmouth, NH today. He is going to try to counter some of the rumors about many of the proposed plans that are causing people heartburn. I believe the White House has been somewhat surprised over the intensity of the debate among ordinary Americans.

Our advice for getting through this process? Take an antacid, put on your sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. Also, take time to stay updated on this topic through our blog and enjoy the freedom that we have here in America to express our opinions about this critically important issue.

What is NC doing about reform?

Our state has already participated in health reform...how so? Take a look at the following webiste:
http://www.inclusivehealth.org/

This is North Carolina's high risk pool which started in January of 2009. Response has been positive with continuing enrollment. How do you qualify? You have to have applied and been denied coverage for a traditional individual health insurance plan and have a qualifying medical conditions. Premiums are slightly more than a regular plan, but the coverage provided is sufficiently adequate and manageable from a premium perspective. There is very little insurance agent involvement in this process, but the end result provides coverage for those who previously could not obtain coverage.

Might this be somewhat similar to how the proposed "Exchanges" or "Connectors" work--time will tell.