Under a bill passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives, insurers would be required to offer parents the option of including unmarried children on their health-insurance policies until age 25. The bill, backed by the Kentucky Medical Association, also would require insurers to provide 90 days' notice before changing a payment rate.
A plan to expand health insurance to almost all Iowa children has been approved by the Iowa House. The proposal would aim to provide coverage to nearly all Iowa children by 2011, as well as create a plan to cover all adults by 2013. While the proposal doesn't immediately provide insurance for all Iowans, it establishes the foundation for universal healthcare, said Iowa politicians.
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that state law does not guarantee uninsured hospital patients the same discounts offered insured patients. The court overturned a decision that had said a loophole in state law gave all patients the same discounts through 2004. These discounts could shave 50 percent or more off a typical hospital bill, said the attorney representing uninsured patients before the Supreme Court.
Six years ago, the California Legislature passed a law requiring the state to adopt regulations to ensure HMO patients have timely access to needed medical services. But there are still no requirements that spell out how soon primary care doctors must schedule an appointment for an urgent healthcare matter or provide referrals to a specialist if necessary. The state Office of Administrative Law rejected draft regulations because the state Department of Managed Health Care did not provide enough time for public comment after the proposal was altered, and now regulators have four months to come up with the next proposal.
In just 30 days since its announcement, 91,675 Oregonians have signed up for a chance at some openings in the state's healthcare plan. Winners of the "lottery" will receive a postcard notifying them that they can apply for the Oregon Health Plan. Budget limitations capped the Oregon Health Plan standard benefit package in mid-2004, but now the plan has room for a few thousand people.
Republican Senate candidate Steve Sauerberg says families should get tax rebates to help pay for health insurance and be allowed to buy coverage from any company in the United States. Sauerberg, a physician, is also calling for an end to tax incentives that encourage companies to insure their workers, and creating a new system to handle malpractice lawsuits and cracking down on fraud.