Monday, February 28, 2011

Military Health Care Costs Skyrocketing in 2011

After American civlians now the hot target is US defense department. US Defense Department showed that Health Insurance Costs have boomed upto 300 percent in 2011 since 2001. This report was prepared by American Progress and it also showed ways of bringing down this cost.

American Progress report showed that cost might soar upto 63.9 Billion by the year 2014 and the peope who are going to be affected by this are going to be army ritirees who are currently paying $230 per annum.

Now the question is - is it justified for our military men to pay more for their health care? Given they are risking their lives in hazaradous conditions of Iraq and Afghanistan? Isnt Mr. President supposed to look into this matter and ensure that his bravemen dont sweat seeing their health care bills?

Facts regarding Military Health Care:-

1. The amount of troops fighting out there have risen upto 60%.
2. The troop casualities have gone upto 11% and hence the medical treatment costs.
3. The number of amputations have gone up by 5% in the year 2010.

The American govt ofcourse has an obligation to these service members, even if they are retired. All of the troops that have to deal with amputations or other injuries combined with the amount that are coming back mentally scarred, with the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, are going to need the help of the government for life. We as a nation can't just walk away from these men and women that answered the call when we needed their help.

Maybe defense deptt. should rethink the infrastructure and rebuild their approach towards military expansion. Mr. Obama should also consider thinking about this or soon he is going to discover that financially he will not be able to serve the injured bravement who return back America Mentally and Physicaly traumatized.

We can't keep investing billions of dollars into helping other countries' citizens and then not helping our own.

Governer's Health Care Budgets To Take A Hit Due To Medicaid

It seems like President Obama is tilling to allow states on choosing their own Health Insurance Laws. But the big question is what about the Medicaid Costs?

Governers from all over the state have been asking Mr. president to allow them to losen up on Costly Medicaid Setups. This might as wel cross an estimated $125 billion budget gap for fiscal 2012, which starts July 1 in most states.

Medicaid is having an adverse affect on already suffering US economy and ever 1 in 5 American is destined to enroll for Medicaid. Further CNN reported that Medicaid might expand to 6.1% during current fiscal year.

There is still no common agreement on who deserves to get Medicaid and who doesnt. The Federal Stimulus program made it necessary that Americans maintain their eigibility guidelines if they wanted to receive enhanced federal funding for the program. That money is running out this year.

Now, the health care reform law requires that they continue their Medicaid program essentially as is through 2014 for adults and 2019 for children in order to receive any federal funding for it.

"Medicaid's growth is out of control," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in his budget address last week. "States desperately need relief from that unfunded federal mandate."

US Health Insurance Planning for Americans might take a big hit if Obama does not looks into this matter at the earliest.

How to fix a budget crisis? By lowering down the Taxes, Ofcourse!
States spend more on Medicaid than on any other program other than education. The health insurance program eats up about 16% of Governer's budgets, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Obama's Concession On Health Care?

President Obama on 28th Feb offered to let some states choose when opting for his big health-care reform overhaul and design their own health systems, as long as they meet the overall goals of the national health insurance plan.

That sounds like a big deal. Is President giving us a relief here? After all, about half the United states already have sued to overturn the system critics call Obamacare. Many of them may try to replace Washingtons approach with health-care reforms designed closer to home.

The short answer is yes. However, the longer answer is yes, but..." What Obama called for Monday is not so much a change in the existing law as an acceleration of something that was going to happen already and was long told by his critics.

Last years health insurance law already allows states to propose their own frameworks for care, beginning in 2017. Obama, in a speech to the N.G.A, said that he would support changing the health insurance law to allow that to happen three years earl.

Last year’s health-care reform law already allows states to propose their own frameworks for health care, beginning in 2017. However the Bipartisan Bill is still waiting its fate in the Senate.

“I think that’s a reasonable proposal. I support it,” said Obama. “It will give you flexibility more quickly, while still guaranteeing the American people reform.”

The White House has long said the president is open to changes that can make the law better, and it may be betting that with this step, Obama will appear to be taking a step toward his opponents’ position.

Indeed, the little-noticed opt-out provision could allow states to get away from the provision that many insist is unconstitutional: the health-care law’s insistence that all Americans obtain health-insurance coverage.

For instance, a state could decide that it would rather link tax credits for small businesses with tax credits for lower-income individuals in an attempt to cover as many people as would the health reforms designed by Washington. Or it could choose automatic enrollment in health insurance, according to a Monday post on the White House Blog by Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of Health and Human Services.

“State reforms could take many forms,” writes Secretary Sebelius.

The catch is that these reforms would have to provide coverage at least as comprehensive as the policies that will be offered through the exchange insurance marketplaces set up by Obama’s health law. They could not cover fewer people than the federal approach. Nor can a state's plans add to the federal deficit, according to Sebelius.

One unintended consequence of Obama’s move on Monday may be to further confuse a US public already thoroughly flummoxed by the state of America’s health insurance reform debate.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 22 percent of US voters believe Obama’s health-care law has already been repealed by newly empowered Republican lawmakers. (It hasn’t: The House voted to repeal it, but the Senate did not. Obama would veto that anyway.) Another 26 percent aren’t sure whether the law has been repealed.

A slim majority of respondents – 52 percent – said correctly that the federal health reforms remain the law of the land.

Why Comparing Companies Leads To The Best In Health Insurance Quotes

One of the best ways to find a good health insurance coverage is to compare different health insurance companies. The internet has made it extremely easy to find affordable health insurance quotes, compare these quotes and to find an insurance company that is reliable and trustworthy.

There was a time when comparing health insurance companies was a tedious task. You would have to speak to an insurance agent or different insurance companies, get information about quotes and benefits, and then compare the data. Now, in order to compare health insurance coverage costs and benefits, all you have to do is visit one of the many websites that offer this type of service.

There are several factors that you should consider when comparing health insurance companies. It is important to check the financial stability of health insurance companies. This way you can be assured that when you file a claim, the health insurance company would honor the claim.

Customer service is one of those things that many people tend to overlook, but it is extremely important. It is imperative that you look for a health insurance company that treats its customers like kings and provides good customer service. There are many websites that provide customer service ratings of all the large health insurance companies. Any company with a rating of three or better is a good choice.

You can verify the number of complaints filed against a health insurance company by visiting your state's Department of Insurance website. Here you will be able to find a list of all the complaints filed by customers. You could also check with your friends and relatives to learn more about a particular company.

While comparing health insurance companies, you must also find out everything you can about the benefits that these companies offer. These include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, prescription coverage, coverage of visits to the doctor, deductible and out-of-pocket expenses, and so on.

Another thing to compare is the monthly premium that you will be expected to pay. By comparing health insurance quotes, it is possible to find a policy that is inexpensive. You even have the choice of speaking to the insurance companies directly and they might be willing to give you a discount.

The best way to find a good health insurance coverage is to compare health insurance companies and the benefits that they offer. By checking the financial stability, complaint ratings and customer service ratings, it is possible to find a health insurance company that is both reliable and trustworthy. You can then compare the health insurance quotes and finally decide on a company that provides everything that you need from a health insurance policy.