While skipping around the broadcast TV channels last night, I stumbled upon “Samantha, Who?” and its portrayal of insurance. Read the rest of this entry »

New Jersey is joining a small but growing list of states that wants to institute universal health insurance coverage by throwing money at the issue (i.e. raising taxes) instead of understanding the perceived problem and working out a viable solution. And the excuse legislators are using is that the new law is “for the children.” The second phase would come out later this year and force everyone in the state to carry health insurance.

According to figures, nearly 1.5 million New Jersey residents don’t have health insurance. Some would say that means they don’t have access to health care, but it is an apples to oranges argument. Not having health insurance does NOT mean that a person does not have access to health care, as is evidenced by the millions each year who use the local emergency room as their primary care physician.

But that is a different argument.

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The new law signed by President Bush that outlaws discrimination based on genetic tests — including denying coverage based on test results — protects consumers.

It also protects insurers, because in the wave of anti-insurer sentiment and the push for universal health care, any weapon used against health insurance companies should be taken seriously by those firms. And the use of genetic test results in underwriting would be a million-ton nuclear bomb.

Johns Hopkins University outlined specifics of the bill. To see them, click here.

Now, hopefully, those who have been reluctant to have the tests performed for fear of results being used against them will now breath easier, and hopefully have the tests done if doing so will help them to better manage their health and their lives.

Q: When is a contract not a contract?

A: When the Maryland Insurance Administration says it is not, despite all the legal experts who state otherwise.

That pretty much sums up the case that the MIA is making against Bill Jews, the former CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield CEO who had a sweet severance package of nearly $18 million.

This month, the state began long-awaited hearings on the executive compensation arrangement, and Insurance Commissioner Ralph Tyler has made it clear through his questions and comments that he wants the agreement overturned. Read the rest of this entry »