Proposal to Expand Subsidies Up to $150,000 for a Family of Four Will Have Huge Unintended Consequences
The average annual family health insurance premium in Massachusetts costs more than buying a new compact car (over $21,000/yr), so it is understandable that some are calling for ways to shield patients from this ever-increasing expense. However, the latest proposal on Beacon Hill to expand insurance subsidies up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) (ie $150,000 for a family of four or $73,000 for an individual), could have long-term irreversible impacts that merit its rejection .
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Prince Edward Island News: health-care workers
CHARLOTTETOWN –
A report on Prince Edward Island’s ailing health-care system says the province needs about 1,200 additional workers over the next 10 years.
The report by Halifax-based health-care consulting firm Health Intelligence says the province will need 1,194 more workers across all health disciplines by 2032.
Health Intelligence says its forecast is based on the province’s plan to reform the health-system by adding more nurses, doctors and pharmacists to the network.
It says the province would only need 245 more health workers over the same period should the government implement a less ambitious reform.
The consulting firm says its…
US health care system benefits insurers, not patients
Could this be the year when America starts to shift away from the employer-sponsored health insurance model?
To be sure, health care is an issue that concerns most people. Whether it is accessing care or paying for health care services, few people are free of the anxiety that comes when they or a loved one must undergo treatment for an acute life-threatening or debilitating chronic condition.
In spite of the $4 trillion spent in 2021 on health care in the United States, the highest per capita spending in the world, life expectancy in our nation continues to languish in comparison…
Local nurses share stories, perspective for National Nurses Week
May 14—Linda Busch has a plaque on the wall of her home. It says, “if you save one life, you’re a hero. If you save 100 lives, you’re a nurse.”
Last week, health care workers celebrated National Nurses Week in honor of the millions of often-unsung heroes of health care.
In recognition of that work, the Tribune interviewed several active and retired nurses from the Quad Cities to talk about their experiences, perspectives and wisdom they’ve gleaned from their years of work.
Linda Bush
Linda Busch, a nurse and instructor at Lewis-Clark State College, started her career in 1981. At…
How To Decide Which Bills To Put on Autopay
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Manually paying bills can be a drag, which might prompt you to try autopay. But which bills should you choose to automatically deduct payments from your bank account?
See: 5 Brand-New Items at Dollar Tree That Cost Way More at TargetFind Out: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch
“Autopay offers both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to managing your expenses,” said Andrew Latham, certified financial planner and director of content for Supermoney. “Pros include timely payments, convenience, easier budgeting and potential interest savings. However, cons, such as insufficient funds, reduced flexibility, limited control and potential errors should…
“High performance network” health care insurance plans to leave patients with unexpected medical debt
A Tennessee family faced a potentially catastrophic situation when Joe Smith — a husband and father of four — was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Smith, of Chattanooga, had health insurance through his job with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, but the insurance company refused to pay for the surgery necessary to prevent a life-threatening rupture.
“We knew that he kind of had this ticking time bomb in his head,” Stacie Smith, Joe’s wife, said.
The insurer claimed that the neurosurgeon that Smith’s family had chosen was out of the network, and the plan had no coverage for out-of-network…
UC San Diego Health Spotlights SMART Health Insurance Cards
highlights
– First demonstration of the new QR code standard for health insurance cards.
– New model will allow providers to scan QR code, verify its authenticity and ingest the data into their systems automatically.
– Collaborating partners include UC San Diego Health, UC Irvine Health, UCLA Health, UCSF Health, UC Davis Health, UCR Health, Evernorth Health Services, Healthcare Financial Management Association, The Commons Project, VCI Coalition and CARIN Alliance.
SMART Health Insurance Card Initiative
During a digital health symposium this week, Christopher Longhurst, MD, with UC San Diego Health, pulled up a QR code from his phone’s digital wallet,…
Ontario passes a health-reform bill that expands private delivery of care
Ontario has passed a health-reform bill that will allow more private clinics to offer certain publicly funded surgeries and procedures in an effort to cut long wait lists for care.
Cataract surgeries and diagnostic imaging and testing will be expanded while the government will create an entirely new system to perform hip and knee replacement surgeries.
The moves are part of the government’s plan to decrease wait times and reduce a massive backlog of surgeries, which stands at more than 200,000 procedures.
“We’re going to shorten the list, we’re going to give people the care they need in a rapid…