Tag Archives: Affordable Care Act

Supreme Court Denies Hobby Lobby’s Request

The Supreme Court has denied the request made by Hobby Lobby (and Mardel) to put a temporary hold on the portion of the Affordable Care Act called the birth control mandate. This means that Hobby Lobby will be expected to comply with the law when it goes into affect on January 1, 2013. Hobby Lobby is a chain of craft stores that is owned by the Green family. The CEO is David Green. He, and his family, are evangelical Christians. Mardel is an affiliated company of Hobby Lobby. It was founded by David Green’s son, Mart Green. This chain of … Continue reading →

Judge Blocks Missouri Law that Excludes Birth Control Coverage

A federal judge has blocked a law in Missouri that would require insurance companies to exclude coverage for birth control for moral objectors. That law runs contrary to the regulations of the Affordable Care Act. The judge notes insurers cannot follow both laws at the same time. In order to fully understand this situation, you need a little history. Part of the Affordable Care Act requires all health plans to cover preventative care without charging the consumer for a co-pay, coinsurance, or deductible. As of August 1, 2012, this includes all forms of birth control that have been approved by … Continue reading →

Hobby Lobby Asks Supreme Court for Injunction

The Green family, owners of both the Hobby Lobby and Mardel stores, have asked the Supreme Court of the United States for an injunction on the part of the Affordable Care Act that requires health plans to cover birth control. This comes after the family lost their case in a lower court. Here’s the basic facts about this situation. On August 1, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services added a list of women’s health care to the previous list of preventative care. All health plans must cover everything that has been officially identified as preventative care without charging … Continue reading →

What Does “Single Payer” Mean?

There has been talk about a “single payer” system for health insurance. What does that actually mean? How does that relate to the Affordable Care Act? Here are some facts that answer these questions. What does “single payer” actually mean? According to the Physicians for a National Health Program, (PNHP), the phrase single payer means: Single-payer is a term used to describe a type of financing system. It refers to one entity acting as an administrator, or “payer”. In the case of health care, a single-payer system would be setup such that one entity – a government run organization – … Continue reading →

ACA Will Increase Access to Mental Health Care

Since the tragedy that happened at an elementary school in Connecticut, there has been much call for a national discussion about access to mental health care. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act will provide for that. It requires health insurance plans to cover mental health care. Right now, it feels like a very long time until 2014 arrives. What happened in Connecticut, at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was a tragedy. No one wants to see this happen again. I’m sure everyone has heard the details by now, and I have no need to reiterate them here. After the tragedy, many … Continue reading →

What to Expect in 2011 From The Affordable Care Act

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, has provided a detailed update about the new benefits that consumers can expect to see in 2011. These benefits are a result of the reforms and regulations to health care that are a part of the Affordable Care Act. Consumers saw several beneficial changes to health care in 2010, and will continue to see changes until 2014. Beginning in 2011, insurance companies will be required to spend at least 80% of the money they get from the premiums that they charge their customers on health care, and other quality improvements, that will … Continue reading →