Patient and Doctor Groups Say New CBO Score Reveals Health Bill's Flaws

Today's blog features a recently published article by NPR that highlights the new CBO score regarding the new healthcare bill. Healthcare groups are continuing to warn Congress that if this new healthcare bill passes, millions will be left uninsured.

The latest CBO analysis recently came out when the House made changes to the bill that would still allow those with pre-existing conditions to receive insurance.

"Last-minute changes to the AHCA made by the House offered no real improvements," said Andrew Gurman, president of the American Medical Association, in a statement. "Millions of Americans will become uninsured —with low-income families on Medicaid being hit the hardest."

There is so much more to be educated about on this topic. For more, please click HERE! 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/    

Trump Seeks Delay of Ruling on Health Law Subsidies, Prolonging Uncertainty

Today's blog highlights the recently published New York Times article that states that the Trump administration recently asked the appeals court for a delay to the ruling on a lawsuit that could determine whether the government will continue paying subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to health insurance companies for the benefit of low-income people. The result? Prolonging uncertainty that's already plaguing this law. 

“In merely delaying their suit, Republicans cynically continue to sow uncertainty in the health coverage of millions of Americans,” said Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the House minority leader and an architect of the health law. “At a critical period when insurers are deciding premiums for next year, Republicans are pouring uncertainty into the health insurance marketplaces.” 

For more, check out the full article HERE!

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/      

AHCA Could Raise Premiums for Millions with Pre-existing Conditions

Today's blog is an important read out of Modern Healthcare. 6.3 million people are facing substantially higher premiums if this new healthcare bill becomes law.

Mare Lee writes, "The American Health Care Act would allow states to authorize insurers to charge customers based on their medical status if they went without insurance for at least 63 days. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers can only charge smokers and customers in limited age-rating bands different premium prices." 

This is one of the biggest healthcare headlines so be sure to read the full article HERE! 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/      

  

Anthem Ends Cigna Pursuit, Plans to Seek Damages

Today's blog takes a look at the recent Wall Street Journal article that broke the news that Anthem Inc. would finally give up on its ill-starred deal for Cigna Corp. This is going to be long, dragged out fight between the two companies, which will be set to take place in a Delaware court. Both are continuing to sue each other with both alleging breaches of their merger agreement. 

Unfortunately, to view the article in its entirety, you must be a subscriber to the New York Times. If you are, find the full article HERE, and if you're not, subscribe today! 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/      

Express Scripts to Offer Cheaper Drugs for Uninsured Customers

Today's blog highlights the recent New York Times article that addresses one of the biggest issue our country faces today - those who can afford healthcare the least are asked to pay the highest for prescription drugs due to a lack of insurance. This week Express Scripts announced that they would begin to offer a lower rate to these individuals.

Katie Thomas of the New York Times writes, "Timothy C. Wentworth, the chief executive of Express Scripts, said about 30 million Americans either have no insurance or high deductible plans. He said the program was not initiated with the changes to the health care law in mind, but rather to help people who are in need. “We launched this with an idea that we can get those 30 million people similar discounts to what good-sized payers get, and provide them relief," he said in an interview.

To learn more about this development, please click HERE for the full article. 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/      

Major Provisions to the Republican Health Care Bill

Robert Pear of the New York Times recently wrote a very informative article highlighting and summarizing all of the major provisions to the Republican Health Care Bill. It is being voted on today. 

Pear notes the number of things that would come into play if this bill is passed, "This new bill would roll back the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid, eliminate tax penalties for people who do not have health insurance and end taxes on certain high-income people, insurers, drug companies and manufacturers of medical devices to finance the current health law."

Learn more about the provisions by reading the full article HERE! 

HORIZON Health Ventures is a healthcare cost management solutions company used by insurance brokers, employee benefit consultants, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and associations, to bring proven thought leadership and strategy to the management of their clients healthcare costs. To learn more about HHV and their services, please visit http://horizonhealthventures.com/