Insurance

Drywall Victims Insurance Protection Act will Prevent Cancellation of Homeowners Insurance

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) introduced legislation today to aid Louisiana homeowners with defective Chinese drywall in their homes. The Drywall Victims Insurance Protection Act would prevent insurance companies from cancelling or failing to renew homeowners’ policies as the result of Chinese drywall in the home. The bill would also prevent insurers from changing rates or altering the type or amount of coverage based on problems stemming from Chinese drywall.    » read more »

WASHINGTON (Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009) – Ten state Attorneys General are backing legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to repeal the health insurance and medical malpractice insurance industries’ exemption from federal antitrust laws.

In a letter dated November 13, Attorneys General from Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Arizona, Iowa, Montana, Florida and Wyoming urge Congress to end the decades-old exemption from federal antitrust laws, which are designed to encourage competition and protect consumers. Dating back to the 1945 McCarran-Ferguson Act, health insurers and medical malpractice insurers have been exempt from these laws. Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on the exemption in October.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—A new poll of AARP members released today finds strong support across party and ideological lines for elements of health care reform included in the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which strictly limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and closes the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole, was endorsed by AARP.    » read more »

Condemns Big Business for 'Manufacturing' Reports against Health Reform

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The attempt to influence the national debate on health care reform with false and misleading information is a "dishonest and manipulative attempt to derail needed reforms, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. said on Monday following the disclosure of evidence showing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce used biased information claiming job losses would result from the health reform plans in Congress.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) reminded seniors that they have from November 15th until December 31st to take advantage of the open enrollment period for Medicare’s prescription drug plans. During the open enrollment period, seniors can choose to enroll in or modify their existing prescription drug plan.

“I urge seniors to closely review all of the Medicare prescription drug plans and use the open enrollment period to select the plan that is right for them,” Rep. McNerney said. “With 47 specific plans available in California, seniors have a number of options to choose from before December 31st.”    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. -- On Saturday, November 7, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a comprehensive healthcare reform bill that will improve healthcare for Long Islanders and all Americans. The bill provides access to the health insurance market for the currently uninsured, provides important protections for those who currently have insurance, brings down the costs of healthcare for our families, businesses and the nation, and sets us on a sustainable path to providing affordable, quality healthcare choices for all Americans.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes announced his support for legislation that would make health insurance more affordable for unemployed families in New Hampshire. Currently, unemployed individuals and families receive 9 months of COBRA premium assistance under the jobs and recovery plan that passed earlier this year, but this assistance is beginning to run out this month.

Congressman Hodes is a cosponsor of H.R. 3966, which would extend this assistance for another 6 months. The premium assistance helps New Hampshire families to afford health insurance while they continue to search for a job.    » read more »

“Without Proper Coverage, These Women Will Be Forced to Return to Dangerous Back Alley Providers”

November 16, 2009 -- New York, NY - With the U.S. Senate set to begin debate on health care reform this week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was joined today by dozens of women leaders to protest Michigan Democratic Representative Bart Stupak's amendment which passed the House of Representatives this month and would deny millions of women access to reproductive care.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- “A new report released today by the Business Roundtable underscores what experts and businesspeople have told us all along – comprehensive health insurance reform is one of the most important investments we can make in American competitiveness.

"It finds, for example, that if reform passes this year, businesses could see health care costs reduced by as much as $3,000 per employee in 2019. And that means more than savings for businesses: it will be vital boost to American competitiveness. The report also echoes widespread support for the cost-containment and fiscal responsibility provisions in current legislation, such as a new CMS Innovation Center, accountable care organizations, and reducing preventable hospital re-admissions.    » read more »

November 11, 2009 -- As the nation marks American Diabetes Month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report today, Preventing and Treating Diabetes: Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes in America. The report comes one day after Sebelius toured the East Manatee Family Healthcare Center in Bradenton, Fla. At the center, Secretary Sebelius held a roundtable discussion with Floridians with diabetes.

“Americans with diabetes are suffering in our current health care system,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Health insurance reform will help ensure these Americans can get the prescription drugs and supplies they need and bring down premiums so all Americans can have high-quality, affordable health insurance.”    » read more »

On the heels of a last-minute anti-abortion provision inserted into the U.S. House of Representatives health reform bill, several U.S. Senators have expressed concern about the Stupak amendment.

Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the Stupak amendment. It is an unacceptable addition to the health care reform bill that, if enacted, would result in women losing health benefits they have today.    » read more »

There has been much discussion about what the “real-life” impact of the Stupak-Pitts amendment would be on women’s access to abortion care. The following is an explanation of what this provision will mean to women, if it is enacted. Essentially, the amendment violates the underlying principle of health care reform, as articulated by President Obama, that no one will lose the benefits they currently have.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- On the heels of a last-minute anti-abortion provision inserted into the U.S. House of Representatives health reform bill, newspaper editorials from across the country have echoed Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s opposition to the Stupak amendment and have called on the Senate to reject the Stupak amendment.

Planned Parenthood strongly opposes the Stupak amendment. It is an unacceptable addition to the health care reform bill that, if enacted, would result in women losing health benefits they have today.    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-28) joined members of the community to explain that they would receive better health care, more choices and lowered costs thanks to the Affordable Health Care Act passed by the House last Saturday.

Slaughter was joined by members of the labor and faith communities, health care professionals, seniors and students as she emphasized the benefits for all Americans in the historic health care legislation.    » read more »

11/12/09 -- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (W.Va.- 03) issued the following statement regarding the healthcare reform bill, The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 220 to 215 on November 7th, 2009.

“I have been a pro-life Member of Congress since I was first elected in 1976. I believe in the sanctity of life for those of all ages -- young and old, and I believe that every life deserves to be saved, which is why I voted in favor of H.R., 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.”    » read more »