George's health plan would taxes workers' "gold-plated" health insurance benefits. These tax revenues would supposedly offset the cost of helping Americans buy their own health insurance coverage. This plan will fail politically - even though parts of it are sound.
The tax system can't fix the health care system. Fiddling with the tax code will not meet most every social need, especially the health care sysytem
Employer sponsored health insurance is now entirely tax-exempt. Health coverage bought outside the job is not. Bush's proposal, mentioned in his State of the Union Address, would do the following:
Employees would be taxed for health insurance coverage costing more than $15,000 for a family or $7,500 for an individual. Families that buy their own health policies, meanwhile, could deduct $15,000 from taxable income. Individuals could take off $7,500. It doesn't matter if the actual cost of the health insurance is less.
The deduction would be a boon to the 27 million Americans who already buy health insurance outside of the workplace - and a matter of fairness. As Bush correctly noted, it would "level the playing field" for people who obtain health coverage outside of their employer.
This tax deduction is more about helping real-estate agents and free-lance consultants than dishwashers.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Atlantic Mutual #1
Atlantic Mutual earned the top spot in the 2006 New York Auto Insurance Report for having the lowest rate of auto insurance consumer complaints in a report issued by the New York State Insurance Department.
The ranking is based on the ratio of upheld complaints to premiums in 2005. Atlantic Mutual had zero complaints upheld.
Among all companies included in the report over the past five years, Atlantic Mutual has had the fewest total number of upheld complaints.
The ranking is based on the ratio of upheld complaints to premiums in 2005. Atlantic Mutual had zero complaints upheld.
Among all companies included in the report over the past five years, Atlantic Mutual has had the fewest total number of upheld complaints.
New Bush Health Plan Open Questions
Local health insurance companies and employee group advocates aren't sure what to make of George W's proposal to change the way we pay for health insurance coverage.
During his State of the Union address, Bush proposed giving a $7,500 deduction to single taxpayers and a $15,000 tax deduction to families who buy their own health insurance.
Taxpayers who buy individual health insurance would absolutely benefit from the proposal.
Those who can afford health insurance coverage but but aren't currently insured could also benefit but this group could account for less than 10 percent of the 45 million Americans who do not have health insurance.
For the majority of taxpayers who obtain their health insurance through their employer, the proposal means this benefit is now counted as income. This income would be tax-free up to the deduction amounts, but amounts exceeding the deductions would be taxable.
During his State of the Union address, Bush proposed giving a $7,500 deduction to single taxpayers and a $15,000 tax deduction to families who buy their own health insurance.
Taxpayers who buy individual health insurance would absolutely benefit from the proposal.
Those who can afford health insurance coverage but but aren't currently insured could also benefit but this group could account for less than 10 percent of the 45 million Americans who do not have health insurance.
For the majority of taxpayers who obtain their health insurance through their employer, the proposal means this benefit is now counted as income. This income would be tax-free up to the deduction amounts, but amounts exceeding the deductions would be taxable.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Health Insurance Tax Break Proposal
President George W. Bush plans to propose a tax break of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families regardless of whether they buy individual health insurance or receive health insurance coverage through their employer.
The health insurance proposal is aimed at giving uninsured Americans an incentive to purchase a health plan. It also is designed to encourage those with generous plans to either embrace cheaper health insurance or pay taxes on the part that exceeds the deduction.
If it passes, the proposal would be the first time that workers could get a tax break if they bought their own health insurance.
Bush also plans to announce steps to take some federal money now going to hospitals and other facilities and give it to states for programs to reduce the number of uninsured in the US.
About 80 percent of people with employer sponsored health coverage will actually see their tax liability fall because their health insurance policies cost less than the deduction.
In the US there are an estimated 46 million to 48 million people who are uninsured at some point during the year.
In addition the Bush's proposal, several states are independently working to reduce the number of residents without health insurance.
California, and Massachusetts are both working on plans that would require residents to have health insurance coverage
The health insurance proposal is aimed at giving uninsured Americans an incentive to purchase a health plan. It also is designed to encourage those with generous plans to either embrace cheaper health insurance or pay taxes on the part that exceeds the deduction.
If it passes, the proposal would be the first time that workers could get a tax break if they bought their own health insurance.
Bush also plans to announce steps to take some federal money now going to hospitals and other facilities and give it to states for programs to reduce the number of uninsured in the US.
About 80 percent of people with employer sponsored health coverage will actually see their tax liability fall because their health insurance policies cost less than the deduction.
In the US there are an estimated 46 million to 48 million people who are uninsured at some point during the year.
In addition the Bush's proposal, several states are independently working to reduce the number of residents without health insurance.
California, and Massachusetts are both working on plans that would require residents to have health insurance coverage
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Health Insurance proposal
A group of business, consumer and health care organizations will announce a health insurance plan to dramatically reduce the estimated 47 million uninsured Americans in this country. The health plan is the result of nearly 2 solid years of negotiations
The proposal, by a group called the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, is the latest attempt since Democrats seized control of Congress to address America's health insurance crisis. It's notable because it represents a unified action plan by organizations with varied and often competing interests and because lawmakers and their staffers were excluded from negotiations.
The coalition is expected to call for increased tax credits to help pay for health insurance coverage for children and for pooling large numbers of uninsured individuals to get cheaper health insurance rates.
The proposal, by a group called the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, is the latest attempt since Democrats seized control of Congress to address America's health insurance crisis. It's notable because it represents a unified action plan by organizations with varied and often competing interests and because lawmakers and their staffers were excluded from negotiations.
The coalition is expected to call for increased tax credits to help pay for health insurance coverage for children and for pooling large numbers of uninsured individuals to get cheaper health insurance rates.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Mass. Auto Insurance Discount
The Commerce Insurance Compnay has filed with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to continue its 5% auto insurance rate discount for AAA members in Massachusetts.
The discount, which Commerce Insurance has offered for a number of years, would come on auto insurance rates that are going down again in 2007, this time by as much as 11.7 percent on average. The lower rates take effect April 1, 2007 and produce a statewide average annual rate of just under $900.
The discount, which Commerce Insurance has offered for a number of years, would come on auto insurance rates that are going down again in 2007, this time by as much as 11.7 percent on average. The lower rates take effect April 1, 2007 and produce a statewide average annual rate of just under $900.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Wal Mart Health Insurance Plans
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that the number of workers covered by its health insurance plans increased by about 8 percent.
According to Wal Mart, of its 1.3 million workers, 47.4 percent are covered by its health insurance plans.
In all, about 90.4 percent of its employees have health insurance coverage, whether through Wal-Mart or some other health plan.
According to Wal Mart, of its 1.3 million workers, 47.4 percent are covered by its health insurance plans.
In all, about 90.4 percent of its employees have health insurance coverage, whether through Wal-Mart or some other health plan.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Healthy Dieting
As the new year rolls in, many people take a pledge to better themselves with a healthier lifestyle achieved through a more healthy, nutritious diet.
According to dieticians, however, the only way to slim down with through diet is to change your eating habits, and not by trying a fad diet (like a low carb diet for example)
Marcia Levy, RD is a registered dietition in Northeastern Ohio that has been helping people achieve healthy lifestyles via diet for more than 20 years.
According to dieticians, however, the only way to slim down with through diet is to change your eating habits, and not by trying a fad diet (like a low carb diet for example)
Marcia Levy, RD is a registered dietition in Northeastern Ohio that has been helping people achieve healthy lifestyles via diet for more than 20 years.
Wellpoint unveils plan for the uninsured
Press Release
WellPoint, Inc. the nation's largest health insurance carrier unveiled a comprehensive health insurance plan to help address the growing number of uninsured in the U.S.
The WellPoint plan is a blend of public and private initiatives aimed at ensuring universal health coverage for children and providing new and more attractive options for the working uninsured.
The plan is a part of Wellpoint's mission to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities.
Over 46 million Americans under the age of 65 did not have health insurance in 2005. Approximately 45 percent of these individuals are either eligible for public programs and not enrolled or voluntarily choose not to purchase coverage, while the remaining 55 percent simply cannot afford private health insurance.
WellPoint, Inc. the nation's largest health insurance carrier unveiled a comprehensive health insurance plan to help address the growing number of uninsured in the U.S.
The WellPoint plan is a blend of public and private initiatives aimed at ensuring universal health coverage for children and providing new and more attractive options for the working uninsured.
The plan is a part of Wellpoint's mission to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities.
Over 46 million Americans under the age of 65 did not have health insurance in 2005. Approximately 45 percent of these individuals are either eligible for public programs and not enrolled or voluntarily choose not to purchase coverage, while the remaining 55 percent simply cannot afford private health insurance.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Health Insurance Companies deny policies
Health insurance companies in California sometimes refuse to sell individual health insurance coverage to people simply because of their occupations or use of certain medicines.
Although Blue Cross of California, the state's top carrier of individual health insurance plans, does not exclude applicants based on occupation, 3 others do: Blue Shield of California, PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. and Health Net Inc..
All four health plans look at prescription drug use to decide to whom they will sell individual health plans. Dozens of widely prescribed medications — including Allegra, Celebrex and Prevacid — may lead to rejection.
Although Blue Cross of California, the state's top carrier of individual health insurance plans, does not exclude applicants based on occupation, 3 others do: Blue Shield of California, PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. and Health Net Inc..
All four health plans look at prescription drug use to decide to whom they will sell individual health plans. Dozens of widely prescribed medications — including Allegra, Celebrex and Prevacid — may lead to rejection.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Pet Insurance
Press Release
Supported by more than 700 independent veterinarians accross the country, the U.S. pet health insurance industry celebrates a quarter of a century of protecting America's pets.
The nation's oldest and largest pet health insurance company, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), sold its first pet health insurance policy to television's Lassie in 1982 and has insured more than a million pets since its inception.
Founded in 1980, VPI devoted its first two years to extensive product research and development, creating a blueprint for America's first health insurance plan for pets.
In 1982, VPI received a Certificate of Authority from the California Department of Insurance for license as a property and casualty insurance company, with the classification for pet insurance. VPI sold over 6,500 policies its first year of offering indemnity-modeled health plans to dog and cat owners in California. Today more than 400,000 pets are insured with VPI Pet Insurance and more than 1,600 companies offer it as a voluntary benefit to employees.
Supported by more than 700 independent veterinarians accross the country, the U.S. pet health insurance industry celebrates a quarter of a century of protecting America's pets.
The nation's oldest and largest pet health insurance company, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), sold its first pet health insurance policy to television's Lassie in 1982 and has insured more than a million pets since its inception.
Founded in 1980, VPI devoted its first two years to extensive product research and development, creating a blueprint for America's first health insurance plan for pets.
In 1982, VPI received a Certificate of Authority from the California Department of Insurance for license as a property and casualty insurance company, with the classification for pet insurance. VPI sold over 6,500 policies its first year of offering indemnity-modeled health plans to dog and cat owners in California. Today more than 400,000 pets are insured with VPI Pet Insurance and more than 1,600 companies offer it as a voluntary benefit to employees.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
:.
