Welcome to my blog. I started my blog to help those interested in understanding more about the cost of healthcare. I will be exploring issues that will impact not only the small business owner, but anyone who wants to learn more about the complexities of our current health care system. I will be writing from the patient’s point of view in order to help people make the best choices — for themselves, their families and their businesses.
Dick Durbin was recently on NPR talking about the on-going changes to health coverage. He states that there are currently 52 million uninsured. He believes that people in the 54 to 64 age range will have a really tough time finding individual health insurance until the pre-existing condition clauses are permanently removed for all.
He also states that insurance will become more expensive until the mandates to purchase it take effect. He believes the exchanges (ability to purchase insurance across state lines) will help solve this problem.
I for one am not in favor of the exchanges because there are 50 separate sets of regulation – one for each state –which govern how much one can be surcharged for specific conditions for health and occupation. In small groups there can be no rejection. However, each state has different maximum surcharges. Illinois has one of the lowest in the Midwest – 67%. I was recently contacted by an Illinois businessman doing work in Georgia. He talked to a Georgia agent who quoted him a $1,200.00 premium for his group of two young families. The final offer came back $3,000.00!! The Georgia agent was using Georgia rules. In Illinois the maximum he would pay would have been $2004.00.”
If you have questions about what I have written, or would like me to address other issues in my blog, please feel free to contact me.”
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