Seven Things You May Not Know About in the Senate Health Bill
The Senate bill includes a provision designed to ease out-of-pocket costs for retirees who are under 65 but who still get health insurance from their former employer. The bill would create a temporary 'reinsurance' program under which the government would pick up 80 percent of some high-cost insurance claims filed by retirees. Employers would use the savings only to make retirees' coverage more affordable by reducing their share of premiums or other costs. The Senate bill would set aside $5 billion for the program; the House-passed bill, which has a similar provision, has a $10 billion pot. The proposal has wide support among employer groups and labor unions.
Health care bills would raise taxes well before changes roll out
Americans could pay billions of dollars more in new taxes for a few years before they're likely to see significant change in the nation's health care system under legislation that Congress is considering.
Senate Passes Amendment on Health Services for Women
Breaking an impasse, the Senate approved an amendment to the health care bill requiring insurers to provide mammograms and other services for free.
New Survey: 'Cadillac Tax' Would Force Employers To Trim Health Insurance Costs
Two-thirds of employers would raise deductibles, change insurers or scale back coverage to avoid the so-called Cadillac tax on high-cost benefits proposed in the Senate Democrats' health care bill, according to a survey released today by consulting firm Mercer.
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2009/December/02/cadillac-tax-cost.aspx
