Well--heatlh reform (it probably shoudl be called "insurance and mandate adjustments") is now passed and on its' way to being signed into law.
What to do now? Well as we have said throughout--the important thing to keep in perspective is that the world has not come to an end. Things will be different for employers, employees and Americans in general. It will be important to spend time reviewing your options. There will be time to make appropriate plans and to unpack all of the nuances.
From a previous post, we outlined the impacts of the Senate bill. 2014 is an important year--but so is 2010 and 2011, etc. High risk pools must be formed immediately. Limits in health plans must be removed soon and insurance companies in 2011 are required to have 80% and 85% medical loss ratios.
Exactly what our recommendations will be and our complete take on all of this are unclear. As such we will be nimble and flexible and provide details as they come forward.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Update
We have been deliinquent in our posting. Mainly due to the observation that not much has really changed. Good or bad the media is doing a decent job of conveying what is happening. What is it--simple math--do the Dems get enough votes to pass the Senate bill.
It appears the vote will be within the next week.
Other than this protracted process--nothing much has changed. We have commented on the Senate bill and noted some of its' impact to employers. Once (or if) it becomes law we will start to unpack what it actually means for employers and employees.
Stay tuned...
It appears the vote will be within the next week.
Other than this protracted process--nothing much has changed. We have commented on the Senate bill and noted some of its' impact to employers. Once (or if) it becomes law we will start to unpack what it actually means for employers and employees.
Stay tuned...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Where do things go now?
Last night the President spoke about the economy, jobs, education and then health reform. So is it an important item--yes. Though it is just not quite as important as having a job and lowering debt. Nonetheless, health care reform is not dead. In fact, the shock from Mass. may just be the tonic that allows health reform to become law and be palatable to the general population.
Surveys show that Americans are skeptical of health reform. However, when separate items are broken down in these surveys, Americans move notably in favor of the individual elements of health reform. As with many things, people are concerned with broad sweeping changes that they don't understand--when it is unpacked often they are more accepting of the change.
Our take:
Leaders will take a more pro-active approach to educating on reform. This will mean largely changes in insurance regulations. Americans don't like insurance companies and will support (right or wrongly) those types of adjustments. Note the attacks on the banks and bank executives--easy targets.
Health reform will still occur in 2010--when and how we aren't sure. Unfortunately it probably doesn't involve reform of all areas of our health care system.
It will impact employers and create more administrative burden and potential liability.
The current health environment is not sustainable--this is important to remember.
Still more to come...
Surveys show that Americans are skeptical of health reform. However, when separate items are broken down in these surveys, Americans move notably in favor of the individual elements of health reform. As with many things, people are concerned with broad sweeping changes that they don't understand--when it is unpacked often they are more accepting of the change.
Our take:
Leaders will take a more pro-active approach to educating on reform. This will mean largely changes in insurance regulations. Americans don't like insurance companies and will support (right or wrongly) those types of adjustments. Note the attacks on the banks and bank executives--easy targets.
Health reform will still occur in 2010--when and how we aren't sure. Unfortunately it probably doesn't involve reform of all areas of our health care system.
It will impact employers and create more administrative burden and potential liability.
The current health environment is not sustainable--this is important to remember.
Still more to come...
Monday, January 18, 2010
Vote on Tuesday--is it important
The election to replace Ted Kennedy is one to watch--or so they say. If the Republican were to win then the Senate would have 41 votes and health reform may be cut off at the finish line. If the Democrat were to win--well things will probably move forward. However, if the election is close--it may sway a few (on the Senate side it will only take one) Democrats to retreat on voting for reform. Another thing to watch--if the Democrat were to win by 53% of more--watch for that to be noted as an endorsement for reform.
As for reform--one important item to watch is for the House to ultimately approve the Senate version. If this happens then there are no future roll call votes in the Senate and the President can sign the bill into law. House members may force some issues at that point in a procedural move related to the budget called reconcilation. We have discussed this in the past.
As we have said from the outset--we expect reform to happen. Granted it appears more and more like insurance reform as opposed to reforming all parts of the system.
For our clients--employers with less than 1000 employees--this means more paperwork, more rules to follow and more confusion for employees. We are intent on focusing on these issues and developing clear understandings of how to navigate through these issues. Already we are at work on education seminars for early spring.
more to come...
As for reform--one important item to watch is for the House to ultimately approve the Senate version. If this happens then there are no future roll call votes in the Senate and the President can sign the bill into law. House members may force some issues at that point in a procedural move related to the budget called reconcilation. We have discussed this in the past.
As we have said from the outset--we expect reform to happen. Granted it appears more and more like insurance reform as opposed to reforming all parts of the system.
For our clients--employers with less than 1000 employees--this means more paperwork, more rules to follow and more confusion for employees. We are intent on focusing on these issues and developing clear understandings of how to navigate through these issues. Already we are at work on education seminars for early spring.
more to come...
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