BCBS.com: Healthcare Reform

House Healthcare Bill: Government-Run Plan, Other Key Provisions Undermine Goals Of Access And Affordability

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:30:04 -0500

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) issued the following statement regarding today's announcement by the House leadership of healthcare reform legislation that would include a new government-run health plan.

New Report Shows Senate Bill Would Increase Healthcare Costs For Louisianians

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:29:00 -0500

The healthcare reform bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday includes provisions that will make healthcare less affordable for most people in Louisiana, according to a newly released report.

CBO Understates Major Impact Of Weakened Individual Mandate

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:38:04 -0500

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association issued the following statement regarding the Congressional Budget Office scoring of the amended Senate Finance Committee bill America's Healthy Future Act of 2009.

Swine flu could exceed hospital capacity in 15 states

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In the first half of 2009, local health departments cut about 8,000 staff positions. In 2008, an estimated 7,000 public health jobs were eliminated. From 2005 to 2009, federal public health preparedness funding was slashed by 25%.— Nearly half of private sector workers don't have sick leave benefits.

Analysis Shows Narrow Age Rating Would Raise Premiums by Nearly 50 Percent Causing Many Young and Healthy To Forgo Coverage

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:27:45 -0500

Allowing age adjustments more restrictive than 5 to 1 would cause dramatic premium spikes for the young and healthy in the individual insurance market making coverage unaffordable for many, according to a new analysis. Oliver Wyman’s Actuarial and Health and Life Sciences practice released new data today, commissioned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), showing that a 2 to 1 age rating ratio would increase premiums for the youngest and healthiest Americans in the individual market in many states by nearly 50 percent in the first year, relative to 5 to 1 age rating ratio.