States --
California: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders, as expected, announced the agreement to close the state budget of $ 26 billion budget deficit. This agreement will not be new taxes, than in February, but on the basis of further cuts to health care and government spending. Reported that the state restricts the reception for a healthy family - the state Children's health insurance program - but not quite the program as a whole. Further reduction in Medi-Cal, were rejected, partly because of the mandatory requirements in accordance with federal law. The budget is also to attract a larger number of beneficiaries in the Medi-Cal services and management assistance programs. This proposal was approved by the previous governor, but he was rejected by lawmakers and consumer advocates. The President recommends that a centralized online system to control the right to receive public funding for health and other public assistance programs. Go to "system" is likely to have significant initial costs, but ultimately, the reduction of public expenditure in the amount of U.S. $ 500 million annually.
Connecticut: The House of Representatives plans to meet this week to veto the possibility of the funds in the accounts of the Government vetoed M. Jodi Rell this year. The governor has veto power in respect of 19 bills so far and is about two-thirds majority in both houses of the General Assembly. The Senate is also expected that at the present time. Etna supports the Governor's veto of health for the four bills: the bill SustiNet, common law, in a mega-bill against the dismissal and the mandate of law. In SustiNet Health Association and the laws that the government bureaucracy, but ultimately little to improve health care and costs. In the case of SustiNet, full implementation would cost the state about $ 1 billion a year. In addition, laying the groundwork for the cost of public administration-term health plan without the benefit of the rapid progress of reforms in the Federal health care will require the state to dismantle and revise any action is premature. Connecticut, the members of the Council of Civil Action Network is mobilizing support from Aetna the Governor's veto in the 188 deputies in contact with more than 1900 letters and telephone calls. 7-Pack would mandate health care costs significantly already long list of Connecticut mandated health benefits, and the fight against the withdrawal of the bill will not reduce the risk of insurance fraud, the higher the cost of each.
Kentucky: Beshir Democratic governor will make some quotations, which allows the balance of power in the republic by the Senate. Announced the appointment of Senator Charlie Borders of the Civil Service Commission and is expected to appoint Senator Dan Kelly, the leader of the Republican majority in the court. Together with the retirement of Senator Gary Tapp, these dates may be the Senate Republican majority with a slight Democratic majority. The victory of the Democratic party, not sure exactly how the vacancies were filled by special elections. The governor tried to remove the administration of the implementation plan of slots at racetracks.
Illinois: The General Assembly adjourned after Governor Pat Quinn with a budget very similar to the earlier version. The governor has a higher proportion of funds for social services (50 per cent to over 80 per cent in 2008 budget), and was granted an additional U.S. $ 1 billion in its sole discretion. The Legislature has 12 days of unpaid leave, which corresponds to 5-percent reduction in pay. Issues of taxation are the fall or in January 2010.
Massachusetts: The coalition of small businesses, chambers of commerce and the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (Mahper) suggested that the affordable health plan - products for small businesses and individuals to premium projects of up to 22 percent. Supporters point out that this proposal does not include the most use of the services is responsible, partially offset by increased spending on health. College of the State of Massachusetts is in the process of developing a long-term reform of the health care system. However, their recommendations in the final analysis, it can take up to five years to implement. Affordable health care approach is supported by State Senator Richard T. Moore, and State Representative Harriett L. Stanley, co-chair of the legislative Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. As access to health care, to create a new product, the benefits of the actuarial equivalent of the Commonwealth Choice Bronze Level coverage for all small businesses (50 or less), and individuals subject to either of the slots, according to the law setting a maximum reimbursement of providers for not more than 110 percent of Medicare for all services provided by this product in addition to the advantages of an outpatient pharmacy, as well as the minimum medical loss ratio of 85 per cent.
Michigan: House Speaker Andy Dillon has a plan to reduce costs for health care workers, and believes that the state will save you from $ 800 and $ 900 million a year. Dillon calls for urgent action to ensure the condition of a planned deficit of $ 1.7 million for 2010. This plan is the consolidation of more than 2000 plans, which are scattered throughout the state in the worker for the state of public schools, all public authorities, police, and the legislature - which affects about 400,000 people. In addition to strengthening the health delivery and management plan, the plan for the quality and cost-cutting measures and the standardization of the benefit plan design. Proposal impact current employees and retirees. The plan is to prepare a reaction mixture of neutral and to welcome the President of the Democratic Party and the Democratic governor. The state's largest teachers union, the Michigan Education Association, announced the immediate opposition to the plan. Mike Cox, Attorney General of Michigan, in the press release stated that the proposal deserves serious consideration. The issue of security, as this would affect the work in two chambers at reforming the individual market, and how it may relate to the reform at the federal level to carry out only some of the issues.
New Jersey: The resignation of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Steven Goldman, met last week. Governor Corzine is not expected to name an authorized act before the November elections. In the absence of the Commissioner Department of Insurance Director Douglas Wheeler as the Commissioner of Insurance and Banking Division Director Terry McEwen, supervision of banks.
OHIO: The state budget crisis coming to a resolution of Governor Strickland, you'll receive a new budget proposal on July 14. The movement in the negotiations has been achieved thanks to the will of the governor, the controversial issue of video lottery terminals at the November vote. The Conference Committee report includes the following recommendations: expanding coverage for dependent children under 28 years of open registration program for people with a gradual reduction of the rate cap, requiring health insurance for the service, if the director finds that the service and require agencies to conduct external verification of According to a notification by the Director-General to reach a medical problem that the payment of claims submitted electronically to the providers of electronic and prohibit providers from refusing to accept electronic payments, the Director submit an annual report on the components of administrative costs on industry, accounting for small businesses, as well as 10 or more employers to offer Section 125 plans. The term autism is part of the House version of the budget has been withdrawn.
Pennsylvania: Last week the Central Committee of the Parliament amended and adopted in straight lines, textures, all Democrats share the house expenses. As expected, income is based on 2 percent tax on all managed care vehicle. The impasse that the budget continues, Etna continues to settle the case that the tax is unfair. In other news, coverage of an oral presentation of the bill last week was oncology. A bill supported by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with Glakso Smith Kline, who wants to improve the coverage of its oral chemotherapy drug.
Wisconsin: Governor Jim Doyle, in the 2009-11 state budget, but also contains various provisions relating to the industry: autism mandate minimum levels of $ 50,000 per year for service for at least four years and $ 25,000 a year, do not - all services hospitals and all self-government health insurance should be an adult, unmarried children under the age of 27 years or full-time student, regardless of age, and the mandate for the services of ambulatory health care, prevention and treatment of a drug or device by the FDA, issued by a doctor to prevent pregnancy, outpatient visits, tests, procedures and medical services that are necessary for the creation, management, conservation or disposal of contraception should also be covered. In small groups and individual insurance market reforms in the exhibition include: a uniform application of mandatory individual health insurance, "look back" until the status of existing exceptions in the 12 months prior to the effective date of coverage of insurance policies, health, reducing the existing condition exclusion in the a period not exceeding two years to a maximum of 12 months, and the needs of the insurer, an independent review of the dismissal and the denial of pre-existing situation, conditions, unfavorable situation, in addition to the experimental treatment or refusal provisions.