Senate to Take Up Health Coverage Bill (S. 1955) WHAT ARE THEY

[rodeodance]

THINKING?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060508/ap_on_go_co/senate_health_insurance;_ylt=AoiPLOU7RJXq1aIKfD0mUYWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3czJjNGZoBHNlYwM3NTE-

Senate to Take Up Health Coverage Bill

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 49 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Health insurance coverage for mammograms, annual children's physicals and drug abuse counseling could disappear for some workers under legislation moving through Congress.

The measure, which the Senate takes up Tuesday, would let insurers bypass coverage requirements mandated by states.

Supporters say that pre-empting the state requirements creates a trade-off that will help more businesses and their employers afford health insurance. Opponents say the bill would result in health insurance policies that don't protect workers when they get ill.

Under legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., businesses could band together based on their membership in a professional trade association to offer their workers scaled-back health insurance. Enzi predicts that most businesses will stick with the policies they currently offer rather than switch to a less comprehensive benefit.

[rodeodance]

1. Dodd is NOT for this bill: says will wipe out state mandated coverages.

....The vote is expected to be close. The legislation pits business groups such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses, which supports the bill, against consumer groups, such as AARP and the
American Cancer Society, which oppose it.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said he believes insurance companies will offer plans with minimal or no benefits, hoping to attract young and healthy people. Older, sicker people are going to be left without a plan that meets their needs.

"In one fell swoop, this bill will undo the work of each state to protect their citizens," Dodd said.

Insurers say the state mandates are driving up the cost of policies, and the ranks of the uninsured. States have approved more than 1,800 coverage requirements, says the Council for Affordable Health Insurance. For instance, mammograms are required in every state but Utah. In 31 states, insurers are required to cover child immunizations and annual exams.

[dflprincess]

2. Most of the mandates passed by states

are for conditions that are more common in or exclusive to women and children. About 25 years ago I can recall a coworker having to fight with Blue Cross to cover the ER visit she made when she miscarried. According to BC, miscarriage was not a medical emergency - even though she was bleeding quite heavily and went in on a Sunday night, per her doctor's instructions.

This bill is a disaster and another fine example of how corrupt Congress has become.

[noel adamson]

3. Ever the Merchants of Misery

There are big bucks to made in the sickness business and ending these particular coverages of preventive medicine will certainly increase the number of severely ill people to bilk. That should be a great boost to the economy. Well Bill Frist's economy anyway.

Exploitation of the weak has always been the business of fascism and the only difference between these animals and their Nazi forebears is that the Nazis openly declared their animal level "survival of the fittest" policies. Fattest rather that fittest I would say though.

[gulfcoastliberal]

4. Any so-called "democrat" that votes for this bill is fascist

And I agree with your conclusion.

[GoldenOldie]

5. Who wrote the bill.......HMO's????

Look for an increase in premiums and a big decrease in benefits coverage.

Wanna bet the elected representatives of WE THE PEOPLE, don't even take time to read it before they give it their blessing.......Time to Fire them for not performing their duties.

[noel adamson]

9. That is a good guess...

...but certainly someone who does not pay for their own medical needs this way.

[acmejack]

6. Here is some great information on the bill!

PBS's NOW had a show last Friday on it. Here is a Primer they put together that is quite informative.

[laheina]

12. Awesome link.

Thanks for posting. :hi:

[CAG]

7. This, of course, from the "states rights" repub crowd.

They scream and cry for states rights on every one of their pet projects, but then slash and burn states rights when it affects their corporate buddies pockets.

This is soooo predictably hypocritical its pathetic.

[depakid]

14. The ONLY time Republicans talk states rights

is when they want to discriminate.

[Ciggies and coffee]

8. Whoa the cancer industry is going to be mad n/t

[FlaGranny]

10. The whole purpose of insurance

is to share and spread the risk so that no one person has to shoulder the burden of unforeseen catastrophy. Insurance companies won't be happy until they eliminate everyone from the insurance pool over the age of 40 and under the age of 1 unless they have 1 or 2 thousand (or more) spare change a month for insurance premiums for the "best health care money can buy."

[laheina]

11. How many times are we supposed to fall for this!?

When they made car insurance mandatory in CA, they told us that our rates would go down. Guess what! They went up instead.

When they deregulated <<insert industry here>> they told us that we would get better rates, service, services. Guess what!! Nope!

Now, we are supposed to believe that BUSINESSES, those entities that exist only to cut costs in order to make a profit, are going to give employees health benefits--just because a cheaper vehicle is available?! Right.

This is just another way to chip away at what little health insurance we still have, while the prices skyrocket.

[WhiteTara]

13. what a crock, Enzi!

they will go to the lowest cost every time. Who cares about the workers, they're just so many numbers on the bottom line.
:grr: