News For: Oxford health plan RatesWhat should I consider when picking a health plan? Q: My company will offer some new choices for health benefit plans during its open-enrollment period. What are the most important things to consider when picking a plan? A: Health insurance easily grows confusing, especially when a human resources... What should I consider when picking a health plan? Q: My company will offer some new choices for health benefit plans during its open-enrollment period. What are the most important things to consider when picking a plan? A: Health insurance easily grows confusing, especially when a human resources representative throws an alphabet soup of terms like HMOs, PPOs or HSAs at you. You should start sorting through options by thinking about your ... John 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. Health insurance costs grow 5% in '08 Health insurance premiums rose a modest 5% this year for coverage that's getting skimpier, researchers say. English proposes new health-care plan U.S. Rep. Phil English is touting a new health-care plan that promises to be as portable as a 401k. The Healthy Americans Bill would allow most Americans to choose his or her own health plan instead of health insurance from an employer. 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. East Providence workers' new contract hikes health-care contributions EAST PROVIDENCE ��� The city���s clerks, janitors and other members of the local steel workers union entered into a multi-year contract recently that doesn���t raise their salaries this coming year, but increases their health insurance contributions. 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 coverage increased to $4,704, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust. Survey finds slower rise in cost of health benefits The average cost of health insurance for employers and employees nationally increased at its slowest pace in a decade, according to a widely followed survey. Oxford Debate: Officials Expect Best, Plan for Nightmare From extra blood to a weapons of mass destruction response team, agencies in Oxford are gearing up in the event of a mass disaster or emergency at the presidential debate on Friday. The Emergency Management Agency and an Oxford hospital say they've been gearing up for these debates since January. While they're not expecting any problems, they want to be prepared if there are any. |

