| Insurance for farmers in question
Another costly issue, though, is brewing in agriculture: health insurance for farmers. When Congress returns from its summer recess in early September, lawmakers will have to contend with how an overhaul of the nation's health care system would affect farm families, who often have to shop around for private plans that are expensive and hard to obtain. In some cases, though, health insurance comes through bargaining cooperatives that sell milk or other goods on behalf of farmers. Dairylea Cooperative Inc., Syracuse, the north country's dominant cooperative, has been lobbying on the issue in an effort to protect its plan as part of any new system. "We need to ensure our health care program can continue to operate and compete on a level playing field so our members have access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage that meets the needs of farmers," Max Gannon, president of Agri-Services Agency, a Dairylea subsidiary, said in a press release.
Q+A: Co-ops in focus in US healthcare debate
Democrats strongly support the public option plan, saying it would inject much-needed competition into the insurance market. Republicans strongly oppose it, saying it would drive private insurers out of the market and lead to a government takeover of all U.S. healthcare. Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat, proposed creating nonprofit, member-operated health cooperatives to compete with insurers. The idea has gained strength and is likely to be part of the package that is being drafted. Q: HOW WOULD IT WORK? A: The government would offer start-up money -- Conrad said $6 billion would be needed -- in loans and grants to help doctors, hospitals, businesses and other groups form nonprofit cooperative networks to obtain and provide healthcare. The cooperatives could be formed at the national, state and local levels.
Former Insurance Exec Calls Out Carriers
A former health insurance exec is incensed at the industry's alleged manipulation of public opinion regarding the current health care debate. Wendell Potter, a 20-year industry veteran of who previously served as VP of corporate communications at CIGNA, was in Washington at the request of Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., this week to discuss insurers' public relations tactics with House colleagues. Potter, who resigned his post last year due to frustration with the industry's attempts to kill congressional efforts that might affect its profits, lambasted insurance companies for their deception and greed."The industry is using shills and front groups to spread lies and disinformation to scare Americans away from the very reform that would benefit them the most," he said at a Capitol Hill news conference.
Affordable health insurance in Florida could help 1 in 5 residents
Wednesday, August 12 Affordable health insurance in Florida could improve access to medical services for the 3.75 million Floridians who are currently without coverage, the third worst rate in the nation, according to a Sun-Sentinel editorial.Although another 3 million rely on government options for insurance like Medicare, noted the newspaper, one report shows that more residents of Florida and other states are making the choice to research their options.comScore, an online marketing firm, recently released data showing that while Americans have been less likely to visit insurer websites, they have been looking for affordable health insurance in Florida, in fact nationwide.Insurers like Cigna and Aetna have had 10 percent less traffic, but online clearinghouses that help consumers compare different rates and plan options have seen more than 100 percent increases in visitors in some cases.
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