News For: health spring Prescription Drug PlanJohn Schwarz: McCain's Health Care Plan Would Limit State Regulatory Authority, Leaving People Vulnerable McCain's proposals would allow health insurers to offer the same health plans throughout the nation without any or little state oversight. Michele Swenson: Like On Wall Street, Current Health Care Policy Privatizes Profit And Socializes Risk The excesses of the health insurance industry resemble those of Wall Street and the subprime housing market, typified by privatized profits for insurers and socialized risk for taxpayers and consumers. Health-care costs to rise in '09 Get ready to add ''health care'' to the list of things that probably will cost you more next year. A national survey released Wednesday reveals that 40 percent of companies say they're ''very likely'' or ''somewhat likely'' to increase the amount employees pay for their health insurance in 2009. House OKs bill boosting mental health coverage WASHINGTON Reuters - Members of the U.S. Congress on Tuesday passed legislation to require health insurers to give the same level of coverage for mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse treatment as for other ailments. 2009 health-insurance forecast: less coverage, more cost Most workers will see “skimpier and less comprehensive” employer-based health insurance coverage next year, according to an outlook released today. The Troy Messenger A new plan being initiated by the Pike County Commission will make prescription drugs more affordable for residents without health insurance. Emergency Health Centre at Willowbrook remains open during recovery period Emergency Health Centre at Willowbrook, the northwest Houston, full-service emergency care facility, remains open 24 hours a day during the storm recovery period for those in need of medical attention. Health Care Crisis Affecting Many For years Jack Hickey-Williams of Newtown had received health insurance through his employers. But when Hickey-Williams, who is in his early 60s, entered the arena of small business ownership, everything changed; he was forced to consider purchasing his insurance privately. Health insurance costs grow more gradually in 2008 Health insurance premiums rose a modest 5 percent this year for coverage that's getting skimpier, researchers say. The 5 percent increase was comparable to last year's uptick. Overall, premiums for family coverage increased to $12,680 and premiums for single... Health care costs take bigger bite from paychecks Many workers get less from plans WASHINGTON ��� Premiums for job-based health insurance are up 5 percent in 2008 and have more than doubled since 1999, a growth rate that far outpaces inflation and the increase in workers' wages over the same period, according to an annual survey of employers. |


