CancerCompass message board discussion started by K. C. on 3/26/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22357,0.htm Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Good Afternoon Everyone;I found this article while reading and wanted to share it with you for some comments. The bold words are mine not the author's. Wouldn't it be a better world if this bill NEVER actually had to past?Rendell aims to eliminate obstacles to health insurance 03/23/2008Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendlyHARRISBURG — The next big health care vote will deal with a bill to prevent insurers from denying coverage to Pennsylvanians because of an pre-existing illness or medical condition. (This was a word added that changed the health care industry forever. One hammered out on the anvil in Hell.)Gov. Ed Rendell said legislation to reform insurance regulations is just as important as a House-passed bill extending coverage to uninsured adults. As he travels across Pennsylvania, Mr. Rendell said numerous individuals approach him with stories about losing insurance coverage and not being able to get it back because of a pre-existing condition. “These stories are brutal and they have to end,” he said at a press conference last week. (Amazing, he's been Governor for 6 years and Mayor of Philadelphia prior to that and now that his name is mentioned as a possible V.P. candidate he's finally realized the little guy is getting screwed over when it comes to health care!)The measures awaiting a House vote later this month would do several things in addition to tackling the issue of pre-existing coverage. They would prevent insurers from adjusting rates for individuals and small businesses based on the health, age and gender of those in the coverage pool and allow insurers to deny payments to health care providers in cases involving avoidable medical errors or infections acquired during a hospital stay. The measures would expand the power of the state insurance commissioner and require insurers to spend the bulk of premium earnings on health care, rather than keep them as profits. (Anyone think that's really going to happen?)The shift of debate to the terms of health insurance policies comes after the House passed a bill to expand a state-subsidized health care program to cover 270,000 working adults who are uninsured. The measure by Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, would extend the state subsidy designed to ease malpractice costs for doctors for 10 years. Doctors who participate would have to agree to treat adults in the subsidized health program as well as children in the state-run “Cover all Kids” program. Doctors should find a 10-year extension of the malpractice subsidy preferable to living with a year-by-year renewal and they will get higher reimbursement rates for Medicaid care as well, said Mr. Rendell. While House Democrats boast of progress on the health care issue as they campaign before the April 22 primary, Mr. Eachus’ adult coverage bill faces serious opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate. The state’s insurance industry opposes the regulatory reform bills. (Imagine that! Who would've thought/) K. C. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Kevin!  Back in the saddle already!!  How did the transplant procedure go?  I'm thinking that you must be ok to be publishing this article with comments!!  Do let us know how it all went -- Cath poppy/cath Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT