Governor says state going forward with expanding Medicaid
The Rock River Times reports: “SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the national health-care law June 28, but justices apparently left some wiggle room for cash-strapped states such as...
View ArticleA 3.8 Percent “Sales Tax” on Your Home?
Fact Check.org reports: “Q: Does the new health care law impose a 3.8 percent tax on profits from selling your home? A: No, with very few exceptions. The first $250,000 in profit from the sale of a...
View ArticleHealth care reform and taxes: A refresher course
Birmingham Business Journal reports: “Take it from the U.S. Supreme Court: Health care reform wasn’t just an overhaul of the insurance market, it also was a major piece of tax legislation. That’s why...
View ArticleNoncompliance with health care reform act could be costly
Business Insurance reports: “Noncompliance of any provisions of this landmark health care reform, whether inadvertent or intentional, could be costly for employers, legal experts warn. “One thing that...
View ArticleCloser Look: New health care law offers mix of costs, savings for Illinois’...
The Republic reports: “CHICAGO — As the dust settles from the U.S. Supreme Court’s momentous decision on health care, top state leaders have faced off with conflicting figures about the cost to...
View ArticleUnder Health Law, ‘No-Cost’ Birth Control Starts Today
NPR reports: “Beginning today, most new and renewing health insurance plans must begin offering a broad array of women’s preventive health services, most notably coverage of birth control, at no...
View ArticleFederal Government Building Health Care Markets Despite GOP Governors’...
Huf Post reports: “Republican governors who’ve balked at creating new private insurance markets under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul may end up getting stuck with the very thing they’re...
View ArticleFederal Health Reform/Exchange Update
Federal Health Reform/Exchange Update August 2012 There has been a lot of activity since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the PPACA constitutional in late June. Our Agent/Broker Health Reform Working Group...
View ArticleDucking the New Health-Care Taxes
Barron’s reports: “Basing investment decisions on forecasted tax changes is about as surefire a strategy as asking the Ouija board for stock tips. But whether the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire on...
View ArticleHow The Health Law Might Be Changed By The Next President
Kaiser Health News reports: “On the presidential campaign trail, Republican Mitt Romney has repeatedly called for repeal of the 2010 health law and President Barack Obama has vowed to implement it. Yet...
View ArticleSeven Factors Driving Up Your Health Care Costs
Kaiser Health News reports: “There is no one villain in the battle against rising health care costs. Currently, the United States spends more on health care services than any other country, exceeding...
View ArticlePreparations For 2014 Pay Or Play Rules Should Begin Now
JD Supra reports: “By far the most important issue for employers to consider under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the employer “free rider penalty,” often referred to as “pay or play.” Instead of...
View ArticleIRS health care reform guidance reduces likelihood of unintended breaches
Business Insurance reports: Long-awaited Internal Revenue Service proposed regulations favorably resolve key questions about a key health care reform law provision that imposes stiff penalties on...
View ArticleNews from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL
Legislative Update: Employers’ ACA Notice Requirement Delayed [All Markets] On Nov. 9, 2012, we reminded employers of a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that will require employers to provide...
View ArticleMental Healthcare To Get Boost From ACA
Insurance News Net reports: “Mental health experts say healthcare reform will play a role in one of U.S. President Barack Obama’s proposals for reducing gun violence. Obama this week instructed the...
View ArticleIRS Issues More “Play or Pay” Guidance
Benefits in Brief reports: “Shortly before 2012 came to an end, the IRS issued proposed regulations and Frequently Asked Questions concerning the employer “play or pay” provisions of the Affordable...
View ArticleHealth insurance reform closer to reality in Illinois
Illinois Times reports: “The Illinois Senate could vote next week on implementing a crucial piece of the federal health insurance reforms passed in 2010, but two competing bills could lead the state in...
View ArticleObamacare Faces Doubts Among The Young And The Restless
Insurance News Net reports: “Heading into the final stages before implementation of his health care overhaul, President Obama is facing growing concerns among young Americans who will absorb the...
View ArticleCan mass marketing heal the splits on ‘Obamacare’?
Bloomberg Business Week reports: “How do you convince millions of average Americans that one of the most complex and controversial programs devised by government may actually be a good deal for them?...
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Will Consumers Be Able to Understand Health Exchanges?
Forbes reports: “Now that states have decided what they are going to do about health insurance exchanges—those new shopping carts created by Obamacare to help consumers find health insurance who do not...
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