Diabetes Advocacy Blog

Beyond Winning: A Team With a Message About Health

2007-08-13T23:03:00.000-04:00

I came across a really interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today about Team Type 1, a cycling team made up of Type I diabetics. The story was truly inspirational, these guys are amazing. Go Team Type 1!

The team is comprised of inspirational cyclists, all people with Type 1(Juvenile) Diabetes. Last year, they won the 3,052 mile Race Across America (RAAM) in the eight-person corporate category. Their blood sugar is monitored by FreeStyle Lite. They will be putting Apidra in OmniPod wireless Insulin pumps, using AMYLIN products and all ride on Specialized Bikes.

A Year is Too Long; contact Sen. Majority Leader Frist for a Vote on H.R.810

2006-05-26T08:29:00.000-04:00

Thousands of you took action when we contacted you last week about the "unhappy anniversary" of the passage of H.R.810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, in the House of Representatives. Thank you, as always, for the tremendous effort!

Tomorrow is May 24th, making it one full year since the House passed this important legislation with a strong bi-partisan showing. Unfortunately, the Senate still has not acted. If you have not contacted your Senators, please do so now.

And now we're going right to the top. After you have contacted your own Senators, we are asking you to contact Senate Majority Leader Frist (R-TN) to urge him to not waste another day in bringing H.R. 810 to the floor for vote. Senator Frist voiced his support of H.R.810 last July. It's past time for the Senator to demonstrate that support. Tell him to schedule a vote for H.R.810 -- for life-saving research -- today.

Mark your calendar for the Conquer Diabetes Call-In, June 8th 2006!

A phone call to Senator Frist would have the most impact. Call the Senator in Washington, DC at 202-224-3344. Thank him for his support of H.R.810 last July and ask when this important research bill will get a vote in the full Senate. After you make contact, shoot us an email at makingnoise@diabetes.org and let us know how it went!

Senate Bill 1955 Defeated

2006-05-12T14:07:00.000-04:00

S.1955 didn't have enough votes for cloture* so it effectively died last night in the Senate. Our most sincere congratulations and thanks to for your efforts to defeat this bill. This is a tremendous victory for the Association and, more importantly, for all people affected by diabetes.

* Failure to get cloture -- Failing to get 2/3 of the Senate to agree that the bill is still viable for further consideration.

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Small-business health insurance bill voted down

2006-05-11T22:43:00.000-04:00

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - A divisive bill that would have allowed health insurers to preempt state-mandated benefits in order to extend coverage to small businesses was defeated by the U.S. Senate late Thursday.

The Senate voted 55-43 to stop considering the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006, or S. 1955, which was introduced last year by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and co-sponsored by Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Conrad Burns, R-Mont.

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American Diabetes Association Urges Senate to Protect Diabetes Coverage; Reject Fundamentally Flawed S.1955

2006-05-11T13:32:00.000-04:00

Proposed Legislation Still Jeopardizes Lifesaving Coverage Protections for Millions With Diabetes

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past several months, tens of thousands of Americans with diabetes have contacted their United States senators to express their concerns about a federal small business health bill that ultimately would jeopardize state regulations that guarantee coverage for diabetes supplies, medication and education. Today, the American Diabetes Association reiterated its strong opposition to the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act" (S.1955), as the bill before the U.S. Senate still fails to protect the health coverage that millions of Americans rely upon to manage the disease and prevent its serious and costly complications. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia require insurers to provide coverage for diabetes supplies, medication, equipment and education, but S. 1955 would undermine those basic protections. The U.S. Senate is expected to have a procedural cloture vote on S.1955 sometime Thursday, and the Association urges the Senate to vote against cloture.

"The American Diabetes Association believes that the proposed approach is fundamentally flawed and must be opposed in all forms in order to protect your constituents with diabetes," said Lawrence T. Smith, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association. "The Association stands ready to work with Congress on future attempts to expand affordable, adequate and accessible health insurance to small businesses and other Americans who are uninsured and underinsured. But this bill is not the answer."

Earlier this week, Senators heard from Nicole Pedone, an Ohio native, who developed type 1 diabetes at age 10 and subsequently lost her eyesight in 1998 because she did not have adequate health insurance. Pedone told Senators that because she didn't have the means to control her diabetes when she initially developed the disease, today her health care costs are covered by Medicaid and Medicare, meaning taxpayers are picking up her health costs.

Currently, Ohio is one of four states that does not require insurers and small businesses to cover many of the essential tools needed to manage the disease and stay healthy. Pedone warned that individuals in the 46 states that do have coverage requirements would face a nightmare similar to her situation if coverage protections were lost under S.1955.

Despite attempts to change the bill to increase its likelihood of passage, the bill still would allow plans sold in the state-regulated insurance market to circumvent state benefit protections. In addition, the rating structure will still have a significant impact on Americans with diabetes and other chronic diseases, as they will see a spike in insurance premiums.

"Your constituents with diabetes each benefit from dozens of state laws -- which range from the mechanical aspects of insurance regulation and administration to laws mandating coverage for life-sustaining insulin. Any pre-emption or weakening of these state laws is a major threat to the well- being and lives of people with diabetes and should not be acceptable to the U.S. Senate," Smith said. "Accordingly, we ask Senators to stand with us in full opposition to S. 1955, no matter which cosmetic changes may be proposed on the Floor."

Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes, up from 18.2 million in 2003. If present trends continue, one in three Americans, and one in two minorities, born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2002 was at least $132 billion; one in ten healthcare dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's advocacy efforts include helping to combat discrimination against people with diabetes; advocating for the increase of federal diabetes research and programs; and improved access to, and quality of, healthcare for people with diabetes. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Source: American Diabetes Association

Senate bill won't solve health insurance crisis

2006-05-11T10:39:00.000-04:00

Editor, the Record:

For many Americans, gaining access to affordable, quality health care continues to be a struggle. Nearly 46 million Americans are currently without health insurance, many of them employed by small businesses. This is a crisis that our nation's leaders definitely need to address. Unfortunately, one of the proposals intended to remedy the problem could make it worse by undermining the critical work Pennsylvania state legislatures have done to ensure coverage for life-saving cancer screenings, such as mammograms.

Currently before the U.S. Senate, the "Health Insurance Marketplace, Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006 S. 1955" is a misguided solution to a fundamental and all to familiar problem for many Americans. This legislation would allow all health insurers to bypass state laws intended to serve as basic consumer protections, including guaranteed coverage for mammograms and other vital cancer screenings. As a result, there is no assurance that employees will have access to these life-saving benefits.

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CBO Analysis Bolsters Case Against S.1955

2006-05-08T20:13:00.000-04:00

S.1955 would eliminate crucial health care services that millions of Americans have come to depend on, while pricing older Americans and those with complex health needs -- those most in need of protection -- out of the health insurance market. While the goal of the bill is laudable, S.1955 does more harm than good and must be defeated.

American Chiropractic Assoication - Executive Vice President Kevin Corcoran

CBO Findings:

S.1955 could result in higher premiums for small businesses with older workers or employees with complex health care needs.
S.1955 would lower premiums by only 2 to 3 percent on average.
S.1955 would cause 100,000 people who have and depend on health insurance to lose coverage. While CBO believes that a total of approximately 600,000 people (or only 1.3 percent of the 45 million Americans who are uninsured) would gain coverage under the bill, that group would be younger and healthier and have "lower health costs than those who would lose private health insurance under S.1955."
Due to the preemption of state guaranteed benefits, such as cancer screenings and treatments, diabetes supplies and education, and chiropractic care, individuals and families would "find it more difficult to find coverage for conditions or services that had previously been mandated under their state laws."

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Don’t undercut efforts to reform healthcare

2006-05-08T20:11:00.000-04:00

Small business need help to afford health insurance. But S. 1955 goes in the wrong direction.

It would raise premiums for those who most rely on the healthcare system today and make coverage more affordable only for those who need it least.
It would take away important benefits people depend on today and leave them uninsured for basic care.
And, it would prevent states like Massachusetts from making progress on what should be a national priority: providing affordable health coverage for all.

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Health bill foes line up

2006-05-08T10:13:00.000-04:00

A U.S. Senate bill proposed to make health insurance more affordable for small businesses has some strong opposition.

The AARP, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association are among the organizations fighting the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006.

Supporters say the bill will address skyrocketing health insurance costs and make coverage more affordable for more people.

Opponents say the proposal could make health-care coverage more expensive for sicker and older workers, while eliminating coverage for screenings and treatments for chronic illnesses.

In its current form, the bill allows insurers to sell health policies that bypass state consumer laws requiring coverage for certain screenings and treatments.

That means coverage for such services as cancer screenings and treatments, diabetes supplies, well-child care, maternity care, emergency services and mental health care may not be mandatory.

The bill, S.1955, is expected to be debated and possibly voted on as early as this week.

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Band-aid bill

2006-05-07T10:07:00.000-04:00

WHEN it comes to the nation's health care system, America needs a double bypass surgery-sized reform. But what it's getting is placebo legislation that might actually do more harm than good.

The Healthcare Market Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006, S.1955 moving forward with dismaying speed in the Senate is such a placebo. Its authors promote the bill as a savior to small businesses and self-employed workers, who have been squeezed hard by rising costs for health insurance, by allowing them to pool their resources through professional and trade associations to negotiate better insurance deals.

To be sure, self-employed workers and small businesses surely do need some relief. But this bill, for all its optimism, has some disturbing implications, because the plans would only be regulated by the more lax federal government, and would be impervious to state laws set up to regulate premium and coverage. Businesses with sicker employees, for example, could find prices are even higher under this bill, according to analysis by California's Department of Insurance.

But what's more important about this bill is that despite the fanfare it does nothing to solve the larger problems facing the American health care crisis.

When insured individuals are suddenly finding their policies retroactively cancelled after they get sick, such as a number of Blue Cross patients in California recently alleged, then it doesn't matter how easy it is to get health care.

We need comprehensive reform such as the universal plan passed by Massachusetts lawmakers, which required all residents to have health insurance and set up the infrastructure to make it available.

That's the kind of bold program that senators should be talking about, not some Band-Aid bill that may or may not hurt as many people as it helps.

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Good intention doesn't craft good insurance

2006-05-06T10:48:00.000-04:00

Group health insurance through a job is the way most working Americans can afford coverage. But high costs strain small businesses, or preclude any employee benefits at all. It makes sense to create purchasing pools so workplaces can combine buying power for better rates on medical protection.

That's the theory in Congress to help 41 million Americans uninsured even though many work -- about 72,000 of them Delawareans. Good intentions don't bless complicated legislation, though, which the U.S. Senate is to pick up next week.

The Senate Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act's weakness is it would let trade associations or chambers of commerce offer small business health plans that ignore state mandates for particular kinds of benefits -- such as cancer screenings or mental health treatment.

Eligible insurers offering bare-bones coverage could also sue state officials in federal courts if they don't comply with what would be superceding law.

And the bill would set up an insurance standards board to "harmonize" or erase state differences in filing,

For all these reasons, Delaware Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn and Attorney General Carl Danberg are among 13 state commissioners and 41 attorneys general opposing this bill. So are a formidable number of health organizations across the country, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Psychiatric Association. Planned Parenthood of Delaware, which offers women's health care, and the Delaware Psychological Association are among them.

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Zogby Survey Shows Most Small Business Employees Oppose Enzi Health Insurance Reform Legislation

2006-05-04T23:27:00.000-04:00

A Zogby survey released today showed that more than two-thirds of small business employees are opposed to the passage of S.1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act sponsored by Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY). The survey also revealed small business employees are extremely wary of health insurance reform legislation that would supersede state regulations.

The Enzi legislation would allow insurance companies and small businesses to vary health insurance premiums for individuals and small businesses by pre- empting state laws. These existing state laws, which vary from state to state, include requirements for certain basic benefits, consumer protections, and in some states, community rating for small groups. Community rating prohibits health insurers from charging employers different premiums based on their type of industry or the age, health status and gender-mix of their employees.

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Majority of State Attorneys Generals Oppose S.1955

2006-05-03T23:06:00.000-04:00

Attorneys general from 38 states and the District of Columbia have stated their opposition to S.1955 — the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006 — stating the “bill contains provisions that will erode state oversight of health insurance plans and eliminate consumer protections in the areas of mandated benefits and internal grievance procedures.”

The attorneys general, members of the National Association of Attorneys General, stated that if this bill is passed, it will “supersede any and all state laws” regulating small business health plans and cited a similar bill that had been enacted in the mid-1970s, which exempted similar plans from state law.

These plans, called Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements, caused about 298,000 consumers to be left with more than $123 million in unpaid claims, the lawyers said. Congress repealed the exemption that preempted state regulation when it became clear it was the only way to limit fraud and abuse.

Other reasons cited by the group include:

• The bill preempts state laws regulation all health insurance plans, not just small business health plans, in a number of areas, including mandated benefits, internal appeals, form and rate filing, market conduct review, and prompt payment of claims.

• The bill allows insurers of individual, small group, and large group policies to sell health plans that do not contain benefits required by state law, including mammograms, routine gynecological care, and child wellness services, and diabetes equipment. Under the bill, the companies could offer “bare-bones” policies to consumers.

• The bill gives the federal government the ability to set procedures for internal appeals in situations of claims denial. Currently a number of states provide this to consumers.

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Delay Vote on Health Act

2006-05-03T21:16:00.000-04:00

Whenever Congress puts a high-sounding name on a peace of legislation, it should send up a red flag for every American.

Such should be the case with the so-called Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act.

The goal is noble — to allow small businesses and associations to merge their multi-state membership into a single group for the purposes of shopping for health insurance, with the ultimate aim of more affordable health insurance coverage for everyone, including the currently uninsured.

But lurking within the bill are provisions that opponents claim could easily lead to reduced benefits for everyone, the disappearance of state-mandated benefits for such conditions as diabetes and mental illness, higher costs for seniors and the chronically ill, and a loss of women's health care benefits including mammograms and maternity care.

The problem rests in the nature of existing coverage mandates, which are set for the most part state-by-state. A plan that crosses state lines, however, needs some sort of uniformity in mandated coverage.

Unfortunately, HIMMAA takes a minimalist approach to this question in the name of affordability.

While the act calls for negotiations with states to establish benefits, what it allows at a certain point is for insurers to ignore a state's mandate if the particular benefit isn't mandated in at least 45 states.

Health Bill Undermines Care

2006-05-03T09:45:00.000-04:00

By Cathleen A. Rea

There is a move afoot in the U.S. Senate to pass health insurance legislation that would, essentially, undo the safeguards put in place in Virginia for adequate health care for its citizens. Called the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, HIMMA, S. 1955, sponsored by Sen. Michael B. Enzi, R- Wyo., it purports to make health care more affordable by giving business owners more affordable coverage options, including the "choice" to have a low-cost, no frills plan. There are many ways this bill can be criticized, but a main thrust is that low-cost premiums and high-cost deductibles and co-shares will be attached to plans with no "meat."

I recently listened to internationally known author, economic consultant and futurist Ian Morrison call this akin to the concept behind "Pimp My Ride," a popular MTV offering. A lot of amazing and extravagant work is done to spruce up someone's vehicle on the outside, with no attention to the chassis and other core parts required for that vehicle to run. This "new" concept of health care management could leave people uninsured for certain diseases, preventative health care and major life events such as pregnancy.

In fact, in Virginia, there are a host of mandated benefits that could be lost, such as cancer screenings, obesity care, mammography screenings and minimum mastectomy stays, mental health parity and general mental health mandated coverage, hospice care, diabetes supplies and education, dental anesthesia ... and the list goes on.

Mandated access to providers also loses ground in such a federal plan to wipe out state mandates in favor of cheap care - access such as to psychologists, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, osteopaths, physical therapists and speech and language therapists.

Senators George Allen and John Warner need to hear from citizens if they are concerned about this legislation. If we do not make our voices heard, we will experience a tremendous loss in years of work to ensure that health care in Virginia (and other states) means something.

Yes, we have a problem of cost and of access. This is not the way to solve it. Here in Virginia, Del. Phil Hamilton was successful in passing legislation, HB 761, that would allow small businesses to band together to buy into larger traditional group plans, mandates intact.

Health care costs and their growth, as well as the conundrum in trying to make available reasonable coverage in a for-profit insurance market, are the real challenges that need to be addressed by Congress. The states will not benefit from the federal government giving insurers a way to limit risk by denying coverage and by shifting costs onto the citizens and those who are most vulnerable by virtue of their need. Citizens should make their voices heard.

Rea is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Newport News.

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Why Senate Bill 1955 Won't Work?

2006-05-03T09:43:00.000-04:00

Gov. John Lynch and 41 attorneys general around the country, say the measure will block state powers to regulate insurance companies, and end important benefits that state laws require.

Lynch said yesterday the bill “will take away the ability of the states to protect their own citizens. This legislation will only make it more difficult for New Hampshire businesses to offer insurance to their employees.”

He was joined by conservatives and liberal state lawmakers in denouncing the bill. Critics say it is far too much like New Hampshire’s Senate Bill 110. When that bill passed in 2003, insurance premiums rose as much as threefold when insurers were free to rate clients based on age, sex, location and occupation.

“We’ve been there and done that,” William Hamilton, policy director for AARP, said of S. 1955.

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We're Making Progress - Keep Calling

2006-05-01T17:09:00.000-04:00

As a result of the nearly 20,000 messages opposing S.1955 sent to the US Senate by Diabetes Advocates like you, we have learned that the vote will be put off for another week or so. First, congratulations on this impressive response -- it's one of our best ever! And for those of you who still haven't taken action to oppose S.1955, it's not too late...tell your Senators why you oppose this bill. We are doing well in the fight against S.1955, but we haven't won yet. We have to continue to make ourselves heard. Here is something you can do this week to continue the fight:

As you may know, we have partnered with a number of other organizations to oppose S.1955. One group that we are working with, Families USA, is hosting a National Call-In to oppose this harmful bill this Wednesday, May 3rd. On Wednesday, call the Senate switchboard at 1-800-828-0498. Ask for your Senators' offices. Urge them to VOTE NO on S. 1955, the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act." Use our talking points to help you with what to say.

Whether it happens next week or later, this is likely to be a close vote. It is important that you do your part to fight it because in the end, it may come down to that one extra email, phone call, or visit to convince your Senators to oppose S.1955. If you haven't taken action yet, change that now. If you have already acted, please make the phone call on Wednesday. We will contact you when a vote is scheduled, but it is important to use this extra time to keep pressure on.

Thanks for your work on behalf of all people affected by diabetes...it's making the difference!

American Diabetes Association Lends Support for National Cover the Uninsured Week

2006-05-01T15:33:00.000-04:00

As the Number of Uninsured Americans Continues to Rise, the Association Continues Its Fight to Ensure That Every Child and Adult With Diabetes Has Access to Health Insurance That Is Available, Affordable, and Adequate

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In its fourth consecutive year, the American Diabetes Association applauds the efforts of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and others to encourage increased health insurance coverage in America by signing on as a national supporter for Cover the Uninsured Week. For the 46 million people in the United States, including more than 8 million children, who lack coverage, Cover the Uninsured Week aims to raise awareness across the nation of the importance of health insurance in the lives of every American, including those with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association is actively engaged in efforts to ensure that the nearly 21 million children and adults with diabetes in the United States receive adequate and affordable health coverage. For many, the unavailability of this coverage means limited or no access to diabetes supplies, medication, and care. This can lead to serious and sometimes life- threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputations. The cost of treating such complications continues to contribute to the skyrocketing health care costs associated with diabetes. One out of every ten health care dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications. In 2002, the cost of diabetes in America was at least $132 billion.

"We are proud to be a national sponsor of Cover the Uninsured Week," said Lawrence T. Smith, Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "For the millions of individuals with diabetes, as for every American, access to adequate and affordable health insurance is vital. As the number of people with diabetes continues to increase, coverage must expand to everyone in order to keep up with this growth. This week offers us a unique opportunity to strengthen our efforts to ensure that those in need are educated about their health insurance options and get the coverage that they deserve."

The burden of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. If present trends continue, 1 in 3 Americans, and 1 in 2 minorities, born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. The Association continues to address issues of insurance coverage for this growing population at national, state, and local levels, and serves as a resource for those with diabetes to help them understand their coverage options. Currently the Association is working with other leading organizations including AARP and the American Cancer Society to defeat a proposal (S.1955) that could make health care coverage more expensive for sicker and older workers and eliminate coverage protections for important health screenings and treatments.

The Association has detailed information on health care coverage at
diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/healthcare/insurance.jsp and state- specific information at diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/insurance/overview.jsp. Additionally, the public is encouraged this week to visit the Cover the Uninsured Week Web site CovertheUninsured.org to urge their elected officials to make health care coverage a top priority.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy. The Association's advocacy efforts include helping to combat discrimination against people with diabetes; advocating for the increase of federal funding for diabetes research and programs; and improved access to, and quality of, health care for people with diabetes. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

SOURCE American Diabetes Association
Web Site: http://www.diabetes.org
http://www.CovertheUninsured.org

Enzi Bill Featured in Today's NY Times

2006-04-30T13:23:00.000-04:00

But the legislation has formidable foes, including AARP, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association.

In advertisements, those groups say the Senate bill undermines state laws that "require insurance companies to cover such vital benefits as cancer screening, mental health services, diabetes supplies and education, and well-child care."

Daniel E. Smith, a vice president of the American Cancer Society, said: "We are all for increasing access to insurance, but not if it means degrading the quality of coverage for people who already have it. The Senate bill is beyond repair."

William D. Novelli, chief executive of AARP, said, "The bill would make it much harder for older workers to get health insurance, or even to get a job." Insurers, he said, could more easily raise premiums for small businesses that employ older workers with high health costs.

Technorati Tags: ADA, American Diabetes Association, Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetes Advocate, Diabetes Advocacy, e-Advocacy, S. 1955, S1955, Senate Bill 1955, HIMMAA, Senator Enzi, Enzi, Enzi Health Insurance Legislation, Diabetes Blogger, Diabetes Blog, dBlog, dBlogger, Diabetes Blog Community

Senate Health Care Bill 1955 is the Wrong Rx

2006-04-29T12:04:00.000-04:00

I thought that this piece was very well done. I really like the first sentence that notes that the U.S. Senate should consider the "do no harm" adage when considering Senate Bill 1955. Ideally, the U.S. Senate should "do no harm," just like physicians take the Hippocratic Oath and agree "never to deliberately do harm to anyone for anyone else's interest."

Senate Bill 1955 does irreparable harm to the healthcare system and the primary beneficiaries are national associations, not the American Public. Shame on Senator Enzi and the co-sponsors of this bill for their attempt to fleece the American public of meaningful healthcare coverage with a sham of a bill.

Dear Editor: First, do no harm an adage that the U.S. Senate leadership should have considered before deciding to promote the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (Senate Bill 1955). If enacted, this bill would make our troubled health system even worse. For many families it would lead to a loss of important health care benefits. For others, including most small employers and their workers, it would lead to higher premiums.

S.B. 1955 would pre-empt consumer protection laws enacted in Wisconsin that require insurers to cover such benefits as well-child care, emergency services, mammography screening, diabetic supplies and mental health services. These are vital services that families need. They also often serve to prevent health conditions from becoming more serious and more costly to treat.

Families that do not lose these important protections would see their premiums rise. In addition, small employers across the country would face higher premiums because S.B. 1955 would override state laws that help make coverage more affordable for small employers.

S.B. 1955 is the wrong prescription for our health care system and we hope it will be opposed by Sens. Kohl and Feingold when it is debated in early May.

Bob Chybowski
Executive Director
AFSCME Council 40 Madison

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Groups Launch Ad Campaign To Oppose Senate Bill 1955

2006-04-28T11:48:00.000-04:00

AARP, the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society have launched an advertising campaign in opposition to a bill (S 1955) that would allow small businesses to form association health plans under certain conditions, CQ HealthBeat reports. As part of the campaign, an ad will appear on Sunday in the Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today and Washington Times. According to AARP CEO Bill Novelli, an ad that appeared last week in 18 states has prompted "thousands of calls" to Congress from individuals who oppose the bill

Cartoon about Senate Bill 1955

2006-04-28T11:41:00.000-04:00

I found this cartoon to be sad, but amusing. Let's stop this bill already!!!

Senate Bill 1955 - A Step Back on Health Insurance

2006-04-27T08:26:00.000-04:00

A step back on health insurance

Bob Jackson

RALEIGH - In 2003, New Hampshire passed a law intended to make health insurance more available to small businesses. What happened stands as a case study in the law of unintended consequences. Congress needs to pay attention.
The New Hampshire law did away with state "community rating" rules that had required insurers to treat everybody the same, regardless of health status or age. The idea behind the change was that it would encourage more insurance companies to offer policies in the state, thereby making insurance for small businesses more accessible and affordable.

The new law allowed insurers to use health status in calculating group premiums, and increased the degree to which age and other characteristics could be used as a factor.

The unintended consequences were immediate and stunning.

Rates for small businesses were sent "skyrocketing across New Hampshire," as the state's governor, John Lynch, put it. "Small businesses," he said, "could not grow or hire new workers, and some considered ending their health insurance plans altogether."

The 2003 law caused a popular uproar in New Hampshire that politicians could not ignore. When the legislature reconvened in 2005, it changed the law, reinstituting prohibitions on using health status, age and other factors in setting rates..

Now the U.S. Senate is about to vote on legislation intended to do for small businesses affiliated with national trade associations what the New Hampshire law intended to do for small businesses there.

Senate bill S.1955, the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act," would pre-empt critical consumer protections in rate setting and benefits alike. This could leave workers with unaffordable yet stripped-down coverage that does not include essential services such as cancer screening, mammograms, mental health services, diabetic supplies, maternity and well-baby care.

A number of state insurance commissioners, including North Carolina's Jim Long, have sounded warnings. Other state insurance commissioners have stated that S.1955 could cause rates to increase two- or threefold and that many small employers could be priced out of the market.

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39 State AGs Say They Oppose Enzi Association Health Plan Bill

2006-04-26T19:21:00.000-04:00

The attorneys general wrote,

Insurers of individual, small group and large group policies could ignore [state] requirements in favor of the bare-bones plans, subjecting consumers to reduced care and ever-increasing out-of-pocket expenses.

The attorneys general said that the bill would exempt all insurance plans -- not just the new AHPs -- from state mandates (CongressDaily, 4/26). The bill's opponents -- including AARP, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association -- say it could result in worker discrimination and inadequate care for people with chronic diseases.

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Listen to KPA 94.1 | The Morning Show | S.1955

2006-04-25T23:41:00.000-04:00

Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act SB 1955, (HIMMA) sponsored by US Senator Michael Enzi of Wyoming - Carmen Balber, Consumer Advocate with The Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer rights, consumerwatchdog.org; Jane Loewenson, Directory of Health Policy for the National Partnership for Women and Families, nationalpartnership.org.

Listen to Broadcast