Low-Income Texas Women Lack Access to Health Care

A Texas judge has officially denied Planned Parenthood’s request to be allowed to offer health services to low-income women in Texas through a state program. The result is that there are a lot of low-income women in Texas who now have no access to women’s health care. This is part of a long, long, story. This all started in February of 2012, when Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner, Tom Seuhs, signed a law that was designed to specifically exclude Planned Parenthood from receiving any of the funding that is earmarked for the Medicaid Women’s Health Program (WHP). At the … Continue reading →

Nebraska Bill Would Require Governor to Use Exchange

The Governor of Nebraska, Dave Heineman, decided that Nebraska would opt for a federally run health insurance exchange. Senator Jeremy Nordquist has introduced a bill that would require the governor, and other lawmakers, to use that exchange to acquire health insurance coverage. Part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (which is also known as the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare), requires every state to have a health insurance exchange. The purpose of the exchanges is to enable individuals and small businesses to easily find affordable health insurance. There were three different options that a state could choose for … Continue reading →

Health Insurance Coverage and the Flu

We are in the midst of a really nasty flu season. You don’t want to catch this flu, and you won’t want your family members to catch it, either. Your risk of being exposed to the flu relates, in many ways, to health insurance coverage. This includes both your coverage and the coverage of the people you work with. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone who is age 6 months or older get a flu shot. Getting an immunization for influenza is one way to help prevent yourself (or your family member) from catching the … Continue reading →

Wendy’s Franchise in Nebraska Cuts Hours

A Wendy’s franchise owner in Nebraska has decided to cut hours specifically to avoid having to offer an employer sponsored health insurance plan to many of his workers. The owner feels that he cannot afford to provide health insurance to all of his employees and still stay in business. Typically, owners of restaurants that make this type of announcement face public backlash. Starting in 2014, a portion of the Affordable Care Act will begin. It will require businesses to offer an affordable health insurance plan to all full-time workers. Those that choose not to do so will have to pay … Continue reading →

Kansas Law Restricting Coverage for Abortion Goes to Trial

This is a court case that has been going on for a very long time! A judge has ruled that a Kansas law that restricts private insurance companies from offering plans that include coverage for abortion will go to trial. The purpose of the trial is to determine of the law poses a substantial obstacle to women who are seeking an abortion. First, a little history. In 2011, the state of Kansas passed a law that prohibited private insurance companies from including coverage for abortions as part of a general health insurance plan. The only exception to the law would … Continue reading →

Triune Health Group Receives Temporary Injunction

There has been another court case filed in regards to the birth control mandate. The owners of Triune Health Group are Roman Catholic and felt that contraception coverage in employer sponsored health plans violated their own, personal, religious beliefs. A judge has granted the company a temporary injunction from the birth control mandate. To me, this is a rather odd court case! The first unexpected thing about it is the company that the case involves. Triune Health Group describes itself as “experts in Health Care Management”. They have been helping people for 20 years to improve their health and wellness … Continue reading →

Seven More States Gain Approval for Exchanges

California was not the only state to gain approval for its health insurance exchange today. There were seven other states who also got their exchanges approved by the federal government. This brings the total up to 20! The Affordable Care Act is great big health reform law that has many parts. One requirement is that all states will have a health insurance exchange that is functional and accessible by January 1, 2014. Although the Affordable Care Act was signed in 2010, it is only recently that some states have completed the appropriate work involved to have their exchanges approved by … Continue reading →

California Health Insurance Exchange Gains Approval

The Department of Health and Human Services has approved of the state of California’s health insurance exchange. California will have a state-based exchange. This brings the grand total of approved exchanges to 13! The Affordable Care Act requires every state (and the District of Columbia) to have a functioning health insurance exchange. The exchanges are expected to be ready by no later than January 1, 2014. Individuals and small businesses can use the exchanges in order to find affordable health insurance coverage. There were three options that each state could choose from for their health insurance exchange. One option was … Continue reading →

Another Court Grants Temporary Injunction

A United States District Court has granted a temporary emergency motion to the business owned by Tom Monaghan. He is the former owner of Domino’s Pizza. The injunction is not for the pizza chain, but is for his office park. This halts his requirement to adhere to the birth control mandate until his case makes it through all the courts. In 2012, Tom Monaghan, (former owner of Domino’s Pizza), sued the federal government over the birth control mandate. According to the Christian Science Monitor Tom Monaghan is Catholic, and feels that contraception isn’t health care but a “gravely immoral” practice. … Continue reading →

Tips for Women Who Want Contraception Coverage

As of August of 2012, all health plans are required to cover all forms of contraception that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Some religious employers are fighting against having to comply with this law. Here are some tips for women who want their health plan to cover birth control. All health plans are required to cover birth control without charging the consumer for a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. This includes individual health plans, group health plans, and public forms of health insurance. Some religious employers have filed lawsuits because they don’t want to comply with the … Continue reading →