Health Insurance: What Should Everyone Be Covered For?
April 222010
No issue is more important in the health reform debate than what should be included in the minimum, basic, or required benefit package.
Many policymakers speak of “basic” coverage, however, making trade-offs among the components of a benefit package is neither obvious nor easy. Marjorie Ginsburg, Executive Director of Sacramento Healthcare Decisions, has extensive experience in leading employers, employees, the insured, and the uninsured through discussions about benefit design. In her latest paper, Balancing Act: A Sustainable Benefits Package for Health Reform, Ms. Ginsburg presents several strategies for benefits design and provides a compelling argument for why and how the general public can and must play a role in making decisions about health care coverage.
Duration : 1:54:43
full transcript at http://www.theuptake.org
President Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a historic piece of legislation that will expand health insurance coverage to millions of Americans and put an end to the worst insurance industry practices.
Sharon has worked in the food industry for 18 years. For 10 years had a family health insurance plan that cost about $200 a month, then in 2001, her employer cut benefits (as so many smaller firms have done in recent years) and started offering a new health insurance plan with less comprehensive coverage. Figuring having some health insurance was better then having none at all, Sharon enrolled. But after a trip to the doctor and subsequent tests and procedures – including a mammogram, sonograms and a stereotactic biopsy to remove two precancerous growths – Sharon unexpectedly found herself thousands of dollars in debt because her insurance plan only covered a small fraction of the costs. She tried to apply for financial assistance, but because she technically had insurance, she wasnt eligible for help. The fine print of insurance policies are notoriously difficult to understand, and often result in confusion over what is and isnt covered. Sharon set up a payment plan and eventually paid off her medical bills, but not before being harassed by bill collectors asking her to send more money.
FORWARD THIS VIDEO!
Before buying health insurance, understand the costs, the network and the deductible.
The day after the House passes the health reform bill 220-215, President Obama comments on the historic moment from the Rose Garden at the White House.
http://www.healthinz.com