[…] We’re continually grasping for the latest and greatest technology in health care (with prices increasing all the while) which essentially keeps putting basic health care out of reach for more people. We over-test, over-medicate, and over-treat patients who have health insurance, while those without health insurance struggle to get even the most basic of care.
Archives for September 2008
Health Care Reform Overshadowed By Economic Crisis
The Senate Finance Committee met this week to discuss ideas for lowering the number of Americans without health insurance. Democratic Senator Ken Salazar from Colorado mentioned that regardless of what ideas congress comes up with to reform our broken health care system, the “ominous cloud” of the government bail out for the financial industry “may… Read more about Health Care Reform Overshadowed By Economic Crisis
Lower Rate Increases Often Come With Fewer Benefits
[…] Once HB1355 takes effect in Colorado in January, we’re likely to see even more small businesses switching to lower-cost, high deductible health insurance plans. HSAs will eventually lead to more transparency in health care and more savvy consumers. But it will be a bumpy road for families adjusting to the change
A Bail Out For The Health Care Industry
[…] A little government intervention could go a long way towards getting health insurance and access to health care for all Americans. It does appear that the government is willing to bail out a major free market system if things get bad enough. I just wonder how bad things will have to get in the health care industry before it’s considered bad enough.
Dangerous Bill To Be Aimed at the Individual Market
[…] if you currently have pre-existing health conditions and would like to double or triple your health insurance premiums, contact your legislators and tell them to remove underwriting from individual/family health insurance in Colorado so healthy people no longer have a reason to purchase coverage for the possibility of future health problems.
Individual Health Insurance Reform
[…] while group health insurance is great for employees who have access to it, the increasing premiums are causing headaches for the employers. And for those with no access to group health insurance, pre-existing conditions can be a major hurdle in the quest for individual health insurance in Colorado and 44 other states that use medical underwriting.
Health Care Reform Proposal From Business Roundtable
Business Roundtable, a group consisting of CEOs from some of America’s leading companies, has put together a health care reform proposal. This group represents companies that collectively provide health insurance for 35 million Americans through their employer-sponsored group health insurance policies in Colorado and across the US.
Obama And McCain On Mandatory Health Insurance
[…] No president is going to be able to reform health care on a whim – there are 100 senators and 435 representatives who have some input too. But Obama’s reform proposal is at least aiming towards health insurance for all children in America (in Colorado, 175,000 children are uninsured). It’s a small, but significant, step on the road to health insurance for everyone.
Drugs In Our Water
[…] The problem of drugs in our water supply in Colorado and throughout the US is scary and formidable. Drug companies should be required to implement safe systems for re-distribution of unused medications. Health insurance carriers should put pressure on pharmaceutical companies in this regard, since drugs that are getting flushed down the toilet aren’t free.
Domestic Medical Tourism
At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we’ve written before about medical tourism. I’m open to any options that help to drive down the cost of health care in the US. But while a trip to Thailand might sound wonderful when you’re healthy, it would likely be a bit more daunting if you’re sick, or in pain, or unable to walk because you need a new hip. […]
Looking At US Health Care From A Developing Country
[…] We live in a shockingly wealthy nation. While you might not be able to find a clinic in the US that doesn’t have gloves, you will find millions of Americans who are unable to afford health care or health insurance. For those people, does it really matter that American hospitals can afford all the best medical equipment that the world has to offer?
We Already Ration Health Care
[…] At the Colorado Health Insurance Insider, we believe that everyone should have equal access to quality health care. And if that means that I would no longer have hundreds of doctors on my health insurance network, or immediate access to care for non-emergency conditions, so be it. A little rationing for all of us, but health care for everyone.
If You Have No Ideas, Just Deny The Problem Exists
[…] I’m hopeful that our next president will make an effort to reduce the number of people in Colorado and across the nation who are without health insurance. If the next president is John McCain, I hope that when he’s searching for advisers, he at least picks people who do think that we have some problems in our health care system.
Complaint Ratios Updated With 2007 Data
The Colorado Division of Insurance has finished compiling and organizing the data for 2007. Visit the Colorado Health Insurance Company Complaint Ratio Comparison page to see the updated complaint, revenue, and market share statistics from the division of insurance along with the A.M. Best Rating information we’ve added alongside. We hope this makes it easier for you to shop for health insurance in Colorado, but you can always contact us for our expert assistance at no cost!
Health Care Reform Losing Ground
[…] while it would be nice to see sweeping reform that provides access to health care for the 47 million Americans (760,000 of them right here in Colorado) who don’t have health insurance at all, I’d be happy with anything that puts us on the path towards lowering that number and reducing the inequitable nature of our current health care system.
Watch Out For Medical Discount Plans in Colorado
Medical discount plans are being marketed heavily in northern Colorado at the moment. The Greeley Tribune is reporting that faxes are circulating with promises of $10 and $25 copays, and savings of “up to 60%” – keep in mind that a 1% savings still falls in the category of “up to 60%.” These plans are not health insurance […]
Fewer Uninsureds But Problems Remain
People without health insurance face a significant risk, both to their health and to their financial wellbeing. As the DNC has unfolded this week here in Colorado, we’ve heard health care mentioned frequently. I’m optimistic that solutions will remain as much of a priority after the election as talking about it has been over the last several months.