Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

New Jersey Senate, Assembly Panels Advance Autism Coverage Bill
Committees in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly on Monday unanimously approved a bill that would provide insurance benefits of up to $36,000 annually for autism treatments, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The funding, provided to developmentally disabled individuals younger than age 21, would go toward diagnostic services and early behavioral intervention, as well as occupational, physical and speech therapies. The Assembly could vote on the bill as early as Thursday, while the Senate bill is being considered by the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D), who sponsored the Senate bill, said, "I don"t know of any parent who wouldn"t do everything in their power to give their autistic or developmentally disabled child every chance to excel. However, the enormous cost of behavior intervention ... makes it out of the realm of possibility for many families." Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D), who sponsored the Assembly bill, said, "In this economy, every New Jersey resident is struggling, but families with kids with special needs are struggling even more," adding, "They"re maxing out their credit cards and taking out second mortgages" to cover gaps in health insurance benefits.Citing cost issues, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and the New Jersey Association of Health Plans were among those opposed to the bill. Christine Stearns, NJBIA vice president for health and legal affairs, said that the bill would make employer-sponsored insurance more costly and cause firms to drop such coverage, adding, "How, who and what is part of a basic health plan is all part of that." Stearns added that the bill is preferable to previous versions because it mandates that covered services be medically necessary and prescribed, places a reasonable cap on prices and ensures that the cost of educational services provided by schools is not shifted to insurers. Roberts said the bill would save money by delivering earlier treatment that could prevent more costly problems in the future (Henry, Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/19).

One In Seven Young Canadian Adults Deficient In Vitamin C, Study Finds
One in seven young adults in Canada is deficient in vitamin C, according to a first-of-its kind study published today. The findings, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggest that young adults with a vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency have significantly higher waist circumference, body mass index, inflammation and blood pressure - indicators of chronic disease and obesity - than do people with adequate blood levels of vitamin C.
News of the day
What Is Ovarian Cancer? What Causes Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is any cancerous growth that may occur in different parts of the ovary. The majority of ovarian cancers arise from the epithelium (outer lining) of the ovary. According to the American Cancer Society it is the 8th most common cancer among women in the USA (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). In the UK ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among females, after breast cancer, bowel cancer, lung cancer and uterine cancer (cancer of the uterus).
Health Insurance

Insurers Open Storefronts, Raise Rates To Adjust To New Reality

"Buying health insurance has become such a complex decision that Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida is trying a new sales tactic: storefronts near big malls," the St. Petersburg Times reports. "By year"s end, the Jacksonville insurer will open two 4,000-square-foot Florida Blue stores in Tampa and Orlando." Successful pilot stores "draw about 100 people a day in Jacksonville and Pembroke Pines. "With more options than ever and Obamacare on the horizon with the promise of open competition from a new government plan, some experts think the direct sales will be a competitive necessity as more employers let employees fend for themselves. So far Blue Cross affiliates in two states have copied the Florida test." The stores are supposed to work "like Apple Stores. A concierge greets you and self-serve kiosks are there for do-it-yourselfers. Or you may seek private cubicles stocked with salespeople. The stores also have a kids" play area, a juice bar and space for wellness programs. Each store has a registered nurse waiting to help sort out information on pending treatment decisions," (Albright, 7/7). Meanwhile, "Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., urged Anthem Blue Cross Monday to reconsider its proposal to raise rates an average 23 percent and as high as 32 percent on individual health insurance policies in Connecticut," The Hartford Courant reports. The Courant "reported last Wednesday that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is seeking Connecticut Insurance Department approval for the increases. They would affect most of the 56,000 residents under 65 who have bought individual policies on their own from Anthem. The increases don"t apply to Anthem group policies, which are sold to employers, though some employers have also complained of recent steep premium increases." In a letter to Anthem"s president in Connecticut David R. Fusco, Dodd wrote "Should these new rates kick in, there is no question that additional Connecticut families will join the ranks of the uninsured," and asked Fusco to "reconsider your proposed rate increases in Connecticut and instead join me once again in my efforts and those of the Senate and the House to enact comprehensive health reform legislation this year." "Anthem said it appreciated Dodd"s concerns and leadership in reform, but added, "Our proposed rate increase is a reflection of increasing health care costs." The company said it has policies available with no rate increase, though they require consumers to share more of the medical costs" (Levick, 7/7). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009