| METRO BUSINESS CALENDARS
Career-Prospectors, www.career-prospectors.com, a job-search networking group, meets every Monday at 7:15 a.m., in the conference room at Long & Foster, 9321 Midlothian Turnpike. Details: Michael Soden, (804) 594-7065 or Fred Carreras, (804) 378-2021. .
Self-employed losing health care options
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves has all but disappeared, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage. Health plans offered by professional associations were once safe havens for millions of people who couldn't obtain coverage anywhere else. But, as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers. More than 8,000 California Realtors and their families could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel their association health coverage. "It's a real stab in the heart," said Marcy Garber, 62, a Los Angeles real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Health insurance options dwindle for self-employed
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves is disappearing, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage.
Health plans offered by professional associations were once havens for millions of people who couldn't get coverage anywhere else. But as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers.
More than 8,000 people with coverage through the California Assn. of Realtors could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel the group's health coverage.
"It's a real stab in the heart," said Marcy Garber, 62, an Encino real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Blue Cross of California Improperly Canceled Health Insurance ...
Blue Cross of California improperly canceled individual health insurance policies after some members became pregnant or sought medical treatment for chronic conditions, an investigation by the California Department of Managed Health Care has concluded, the Los Angeles Times reports. DMHC officials on Thursday informed Blue Cross of their intent to file an accusation against the company and issue a $1 million fine in the case. Under California law, health insurers must prove that members intentionally misrepresented their medical histories on policy applications to cancel policies. State investigators reviewed 90 cases from 2004 to 2006 in which Blue Cross canceled individual health insurance policies and found the company had violated the law in each case. According to state investigators, Blue Cross used computer programs and maintained a department to review the policies of members with chronic illnesses and women who became pregnant to consider cancellation.
Fewer health plans offered
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves has all but disappeared, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage. Health plans offered by professional associations were once safe havens for millions of people who couldn't obtain coverage anywhere else. But, as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers. More than 8,000 California Realtors and their families could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel their association health coverage. ''It's a real stab in the heart,'' said Marcy Garber, 62, a Los Angeles real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Insurers killing health coverages for associations
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves is disappearing, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage.
Health plans offered by professional associations were once havens for millions of people who couldn't get coverage anywhere else. But as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers.
More than 8,000 people with coverage through the California Assn. of Realtors could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel the group's health coverage.
"It's a real stab in the heart," said Marcy Garber, 62, an Encino real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Hawaii Lawmakers Realize Welfare of Malpractice Victims More ...
Gov. Linda Lingle's attempt to place a cap on non-economic damages when medical malpractice awards are determined, failed. Kudos to those legislators who realize that the welfare of medical malpractice victims is important. Obviously doctors have reason to be concerned about outrageously high medical malpractice insurance premiums. Fortunately there is a way to address their concern and to protect victims. Tort reformers persist in presenting California as the poster boy for medical liability caps. Either they haven't done their research or they are purposely misleading the public. Doctors' premiums increased by 450 percent during the 13 years after medical liability caps in California were imposed and only declined after voters enacted comprehensive insurance-industry reform and rate regulation of insurance companies, known as Proposition 103.
Insurance associations falling by the wayside
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves has all but disappeared, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage. Health plans offered by professional associations were once safe havens for millions of people who couldn't obtain coverage anywhere else. But, as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers. More than 8,000 California Realtors and their families could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel their association health coverage. "It's a real stab in the heart," said Marcy Garber, 62, a Los Angeles real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Insurance harder to come by
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves has all but disappeared, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage. Health plans offered by professional associations were once safe havens for millions of people who couldn't obtain coverage anywhere else. But, as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers. More than 8,000 California Realtors and their families could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel their association health coverage. "It's a real stab in the heart," said Marcy Garber, 62, a Los Angeles real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Blue Cross Receives State Reprimand, Fine
Arecent investigation revealed just how low a health insurer can go, even the biggest one in California. The Department of Managed Health Care exposed the fact that Blue Cross of California committed scores of state law violations. Health insurance policyholders were dumped by Blue Cross and subjected to severe hardship because they made the mistake of getting pregnant or becoming chronically ill, according to state regulators. Yet, there was no indication that these policyholders did anything to merit such treatment. There were no indications that they lied on their applications to cover pre-existing medical conditions, which would be legal grounds for cancellation, or other offenses. In fact, regulators examined 90 randomly selected cases of policy cancellations and found Blue Cross violations in each one.
One Cat Dies and One Survives as Pets Best Insurance Processes ...
BOISE, ID -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/22/07 -- One cat dies and one survives as Pets Best Insurance pays first pet insurance claims caused by tainted pet food that has been recalled. Angela Taylor of Southern California fed tainted food from the recall list of cat food to her two cats. Some time after feeding the tainted food, she noticed that her two cats, Choco and Chunky, appeared listless, were staggering and were drinking water excessively. As the symptoms became more pronounced, she rushed both cats to an emergency veterinary hospital last week. Sadly, shortly after arrival Choco died of kidney failure. Chunky made it through initial treatments and appears likely to recover though continued visits to the veterinarian and more treatments are required. "We love our cats and we have never experienced any medical issues in their short lives.
Marchers rally for state health care
TRACY - Supporters of a health care plan to create a state-run single-payer system covering all California residents took to the streets of Tracy on Wednesday afternoon. About 30 children and adults took part in the rally, which sought to build support for state Sen. Sheila Kuehl's California Universal Healthcare Act. Kuehl's proposal would create a statewide fund into which employers and employees would pay. That fund would pay medical providers for health services they provide to residents, including the estimated 6.5 million uninsured. "I feel like we should all have insurance, regardless of our money situation," said marcher Josie Lopez, 75, of Tracy. Support for the bill is not universal. A number of business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, oppose Kuehl's bill.
State Senate Bill Provides Health Care for All
Fifty percent of all personal bankruptcies in the U.S. are caused by a medical situation; either a person's insurance has limits and he or she surpasses them, or the person cannot be insured at all due to a preexisting condition. Last April, California State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 840, the California Universal Health Care Act, to solve grievances with California health care. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill in September of 2006, but its supporters continue to campaign for its passage. In order to promote SB 840, the Santa Cruz Health Care for All Chapter is putting its One Care Now Campaign in the spotlight on March 30 at the Veteran's Memorial Hall. According to Carol Robertson, co-chair of Health Care for All Santa Cruz, the primary goal of the event is to educate the public about the bill.
A multitude of Medicare plans
Sitting at a senior day care center in Ventura with her cane propped against the table, Dolores Bojorquez smiled to show the crooked teeth she thought were finally going to be fixed. The 70-year-old Santa Paula woman, who had a heart transplant several years ago, pinned her hopes on a private Medicare plan that senior advocates say is inciting turmoil across the state and nation. She heard a sales pitch at the day care center earlier this year and thought the fee-for-service plan would supplement her existing insurance, bringing more money for eye care and dentists. .
City scrambles to fill retirement coffers
The pressure of an aging society has come down on South Lake Tahoe's local government as employees in their 50s elect to move on to the next stage of their lives.
The average age of the city's 215 employees is 43.1, less than seven years from the time of early retirement. As of Sept. 30, 2006, 106 retirees participated in the plan at a cost to the city of $1.1 million per year at an annual basis, city records show.
The city pays out 9 percent of salaries to public safety employees and 8 percent to other employees. These benefits have been doled out on a pay-as-you-go basis.
But with changing laws and more people living and working longer, the funds to pay into the California Public Employees Retirement System have grown and still grows. The city was required per state law effective July 1, 2005 to resign its public safety employees into the pool under the condition its unfunded liabilities would be paid into a side fund in addition to the city's routine contribution.
Eddie Robinson remembered as 'true American hero'
BATON ROUGE -- Gov. Kathleen Blanco, calling legendary coach Eddie Robinson a great Louisianian and a true American hero, presided over a rare State Capitol memorial service carried live statewide over public broadcasting today. More than 5,600 filed past Robinsons body that lay in repose from 9 until to 4:30 in the Capitols Memorial Hall, an honor Blanco initiated following Robinsons death at 88 last week. .
Houston Strikes Early for 10-4 Victory Over UAB Saturday
HOUSTON, TEXAS - The UAB Blazers lost a 10-4 decision to the Houston Cougars on a rain soaked and cold Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. The loss is the first Conference USA loss for the Blazers who fall to 16-17 (4-1 C-USA) with the loss, while Houston is now 16-14 (4-1 C-USA). The two teams will play the third and final game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. UAB senior designated hitter Levi Patmon was 2-for-3 with two RBI on Saturday, while senior third baseman Ryan Lovdahl was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Sophomore outfielder Brint Hardy was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a triple and a walk. Freshman shortstop Jonathan Merritt, junior outfielder Phil Bell and senior outfielder J.R. Bond all had one hit in the game. On the mound, freshman left-hander Shay Crawford was tabbed with the loss for the Blazers after lasting just a third of an inning in which he allowed two earned runs.
The wrong loan: Is it common?
After being in this business, the mortgage business, for over 18 years, I am now more convinced than ever that the majority of people take the wrong loan. Some are just overpaying because their interest rate is too high for their situation and others are simply in the wrong plan. The amazing part about it is that for the vast majority of people, this will be their biggest obligation in their financial life. And to make it even more ridiculous, most of the same people will have the right auto loan, the wrong insurance, little or no reserves for emergencies and decent jobs. What is missing is fairly evident: people do not get nor do they seek a good education when it comes to their finances. Although I am not in the insurance business, it frustrates me that so many people have the wrong insurance.
Metro looking at $3.2 billion long-term price tag for retiree ...
A financial hurricane bearing down on Metro government could force significant budget cuts, tax increases or changes in retirement health benefits for future employees.
Metro eventually will have to pay $3.2 billion for retiree health benefits - money it hasnt set aside - unless it changes the way it pays benefits, according to actuarial reports.
Spread out like a mortgage over 30 years, the gap would cost Metro more than $181 million a year to close, Finance Director David Manning said.
The estimate is 60 percent more than a $2 billion projection the city was working with before the new report came in. That figure was based on older data and a less detailed study, Manning said.
Asked how the city might come up with $181 million a year right now, Manning replied:
You dont.
|
