| Weekly remarks: Hatch and Obama both discuss healthcare reform
This week, I've been traveling across our country to discuss health insurance reform and to hear directly from folks like you – your questions, your concerns, and your stories. Now, I know there's been a lot of attention paid to some of the town hall meetings that are going on around the country, especially those where tempers have flared. You know how TV loves a ruckus. But what you haven't seen – because it's not as exciting – are the many constructive meetings going on all over the country where Americans are airing their hopes and concerns about this very important issue. I've been holding some of my own, and the stories I've heard have really underscored why I believe so strongly that health insurance reform is a challenge we can't ignore. They're stories like Lori Hitchcock's, who I met in New Hampshire this week.
Oriental Insurance Targets 10% Premium Income Growth
Oriental Insurance has set a target to close the current fiscal with a premium income of INR44 billion, an increase of 8% compared to last year. The insurer is planning to commence selling policies online – reported Business Standard. The general insurer has appointed a consulting firm to study whether it should continue with third party for its mediclaim policies or not, quoted the magazine. M Ramadoss, managing director of Oriental Insurance, stated that the company had generated a premium of INR40.7 billion last year, and set a target of INR44 billion for the current fiscal. During the first quarter, the company has reported a 10% growth in the premium income, which stood at INR13 billion. On August 15, the company is likely to launch a core insurance solution through which customers can buy policies such as overseas travel cover, health, personal accident, motor and house holders policies.
Tip: Consider health insurance for foreign travel
For those with health insurance policies limited to coverage in the United States, Matt Tassey, former chairman of the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, says your travel agent should be able to steer you to a company that offers short-term coverage. Among them is International Medical Group (imglobal .com), Tassey says. Many of these policies include coverage for common vacation problems such as trip cancellation or lost bags. For those on Medicare, several Medicare Supplement Plans will cover some medical costs incurred outside the United States. Medigap plans C-J, for example, will pay 80 percent of the costs of emergency care after a $250 deductible, according to AARP. But be aware, there is a $50,000 lifetime maximum. Seniors without Medigap coverage can get a short-term policy from a private insurer.
Ark. crowd mocks lawmakers over Obama health plan
Many audience members cheered loudly when Ross said he wouldn't back anything that would provide federal funding for abortions or pay for health insurance for illegal immigrants. But some were skeptical about the intentions of President Obama and Democrats in Congress. Colleen Shoemaker of Bauxite apologized to the congressmen for being "out of line" and heckling them during the forum. She said the government was taking away Americans' rights. "At this point in my life I have never seen my America turn into what it has turned into," she said. "And I don't think that representatives and senators are going to be able to (pass a plan that preserves personal freedom). I'm scared." Though much of the crowd opposed Obama's plan, there were a few supporters.
Insurance Company Sues Website Offering Claim Advice Saying
An insurance company in British Columbia, Canada, called ICBC, is suing a website that offers advice on how not to get your insurance claim denied. Obviously, for policy holders, this is useful information. But, to ICBC, it's copyright infringement. Well, at least that's what the article linked above says. I have a hard time seeing how there's a copyright claim here -- especially since the ICBC spokesperson states that they don't have a problem with the content, and that they just have to protect their trademark. So... let's give ICBC the benefit of the doubt and assume the newspaper reporter screwed up, and this is actually a trademark claim rather than a copyright claim (professional reporters for the win, again!). Even so, this would seem like a typical "gripes site" type discussion where, as long as it's clear that the site in question is not run by the company, there shouldn't be any problem.
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