General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsInsurance companies have taken over health care reform
Final rule, Interim final rule. (644 pages):
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/~/media/Files/2012/Exchange%20Standards%20For%20Employers%20March%202012.pdf
HHS release:
http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/07/exchanges07112011a.html
Reulatory impact analysis:
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/~/media/Files/2012/Exchange%20Regulatory%20Impact%20Analysis%20March%202012.pdf
Response: We generally defer to States to establish conflict of interest standards for eligible contracting entities beyond the prohibition of health insurance issuers being eligible contracting entities, as established in section 1311(f)(3) of the Affordable Care Act and codified in ?155.110(a)(1)(iii). We believe that many States have existing conflict of interest laws, have appropriate expertise in this area, and can support Exchanges in the development of conflict of interest standards for such entities.
Commenters suggested broadening the list of groups identified as having a conflict of interest in proposed ?155.110(c)(3)(ii) to include: health care providers; anyone with a financial interest; anyone with a spouse or immediate family with a conflict of interest; major vendors, subcontractors, or other financial partners of conflicted parties; members of health trade associations and providers; and, health information technology companies. Commenters recommended that such groups be limited or prohibited from participation in an Exchange. Other commenters recommended that individuals with ties to the insurance industry participate through technical panel or advisory group instead of through board membership.
Response: As proposed, ?155.110(c)(3)(ii) ensures as a minimum standard that the groups with the most direct conflict of interest cannot form a majority of voting members on a governing board. We believe that further definition of conflict of interest may create inconsistencies with State law and other existing State standards, but note that Exchanges may expand the list or further define conflict of interest. For example, a State may elect to prohibit any conflicted members from serving on the board.
Comment by Don McCanne of PNHP: Skim reading this 644 page HHS rule on the state insurance exchanges to be established under the Affordable Care Act makes you realize even more how unnecessarily complicated this legislation had to be merely to accommodate the private insurance industry. If you are suffering from euphoria, read this rule and it will cure you.
As everyone knows, the Affordable Care Act was written by and for the private insurance industry. Just to show how much the insurance industry's influence extends into the Obama administration you merely need to look at the rule on the governing board composition and conflict of interest, to wit, "representatives of health insurance issuers, agents, brokers, or other individuals licensed to sell health insurance may not constitute a majority of the governing board."
Absolutely astounding! The private insurance industry can occupy up to one-half of the seats on the governing board! Amongst all of the other members of the board, they need only one friend. Watching the reform process take place it is clear that they have friends everywhere!
During the comment period, many expressed concern about this obvious conflict of interest, suggesting even that insurers participate as an advisory group rather than through board membership. And HHS's response? "We believe that further definition of conflict of interest may create inconsistencies with State law and other existing State standards."
My comment: Consumers may still luck out if they are in a state with a strong pro-consumer Insurance Commmisioner.
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)ACA is a complete sell out to the Insurance Companies. Nobody wants to believe it. What a scam. My two main issues. Medicare for everybody and Stopping the Wars have been thrown under the Bus. Ugghhh!
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)The "health" insurers are just as entitled to theirs in their own minds. And in the minds of many others.
msongs
(67,420 posts)CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)Then propose expanding Medicare to all citizens and getting rid of the insurance industry entirely. Let them sell life insurance and other insurable things. I think it would be a real winner. Let the GOP try and oppose that.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)They want Medicare for none.
This ugly compromise is the only thing that could get through a divided Congress.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Obama should call for it to be repealed before it is too late. "
...serious?
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)Admitting a mistake is a sign of character. No matter how far down the wrong road you go. Turning back is always the best option.
Admitting a mistake is a sign of character. No matter how far down the wrong road you go. Turning back is always the best option.
...he doesn't believe it's a mistake, and neither do the majority of Americans.
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=367741
Buying into a Republican talking point is not a "sign of character."
Even single-payer advocates are not that stupid.
A nationwide organization of doctors who favor a single-payer health care system today rejected calls by Republican leaders to repeal the new health law, noting that the law contains modest benefits for patients that should not be spurned.
At the same time, the doctors said that the enactment of a single-payer, Medicare-for-all program is the only way to assure high quality, comprehensive care to all Americans and the only way to rein in skyrocketing health care costs.
We reject the call by Republican leaders to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), even as we recognize the new law is incapable of resolving our health care morass, said Dr. Garrett Adams, president of the 18,000-member Physicians for a National Health Program.
- more -
link
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)They want a single payer. Medicare is a single payer. ACA is a convoluted concoction of insanity. If everybody had Medicare problem solved. I don't even care if it is rationed and triaged to those who are the worst off. That is all we can do. I would gladly wait for those worse off than me to be treated first.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)They've been running the show from the get-go. They'll do just fine with everyone being required to pay for insurance and the government ensuring the bills get paid and profits are made.
uwep
(108 posts)As the deadline nears for health insurance companies to return nearly $1.4 billion to us for wasting our money, the lobbyists have moved in to stop it.
A bill in Congress would undermine our rebates, putting most of the money we deserve right back into insurance company pockets! I just took action at Consumers Union's website to fight the lobbyists, and hope you will join me.
Under new rules, if an insurance company spends more than 20 percent of our premium dollars on their paperwork, marketing and CEO salaries, we get a rebate, or lower rates.
The deadline for the first round of rebate checks is August 1. And it's estimated insurers owe 9 million Americans nearly $1.4 billion! But this bill would undermine that. Please add your voice now to help us fight these bills by taking action at the link below. Thank you!
http://cu.convio.net/getyourmoneysworth
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)make it an OP. It's Consumer's Union support for the MLR in the health care law. Republicans are trying to repeal it.
The MLR rule is a good thing.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002390746
eridani
(51,907 posts)Please DO make it an OP. I unfortunately skipped my Consumer Reports email today and missed it.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)that have no regard for us, only for the bottom line.
pscot
(21,024 posts)Rilly. No one.
Justice wanted
(2,657 posts)hobbit709
(41,694 posts)This was obvious 2 years ago.
MadHound
(34,179 posts)Wait until we all are forced to buy health insurance. With no public option or meaningful price controls we're all going to get screwed as insurance premiums go through the roof.
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)The GOP will easily blame it all on Obama. And they will be right. What is the defense? Closed door meeting with the big insurance company crooks. What a total disaster. I have my fingers crossed for SCOTUS to put the big Kibosh on ACA. Bronze Gold Silver WTF is that. Medicare A and B...The best. It works. Obama sat around and did nothing. He never even mentioned it. Senator Bob Graham ret. from Florida tried but nobody listened. He is right.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)And nationalize the pharmaceutical houses while we're at it.
Everything isn't a fucking commodity! Our health is our lives, not profits for some insurance scum bag. Fuck this shit. Grrr.