ND exec: Health insurance changes would jack up costs, force buying of more benefits

October 31st, 2009 Boehner: GOP has right answers on health careWASHINGTON — Republicans have the answers to lower health costs and expanded coverage, not the Democrats who hold power in Washington and are creating more problems as they "recklessly pursue" a government takeover of the health care system, a GOP leader said. The top House Republican, Rep.

October 29th, 2009 Gov't insurance plan wouldn't draw the massesWASHINGTON — Congressional budget umpires say a government health insurance plan that's been a rallying cry for Democrats would not be a big draw with the public. The Congressional Budget Office estimated Thursday that only about 6 million people would sign up and that premiums for the government plan could be higher than for private coverage.

October 19th, 2009 Health care issues: What president, Congress haveA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: What kind of health plans do the president and members of Congress have, and why can't everyone have coverage like that? THE POLITICS: The president, current members of Congress and retirees are entitled to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program that covers about 8 million individuals and their eligible dependents. It's the nation's largest employer-sponsored health insurance program, offering about 300 choices including fee-for-service plans, HMOs and high-deductible plans.

October 15th, 2009 Obama says lower costs aren't seen in health careNEW ORLEANS — Even though consumer prices have fallen in the past year, President Barack Obama says that's not the case for health care costs. Obama says that's one reason he wants people on Social Security to get a $250 payment to make up for the lack of an increase in their benefits next year.

October 6th, 2009 Health care issues: Medicare cutsA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Will seniors' Medicare benefits be slashed to pay for health care overhaul? THE POLITICS: Democrats are proposing to reduce the ballooning costs of Medicare to keep the program solvent. They want to root out waste to find the savings, and to reduce payments to some providers.

October 5th, 2009 Health care issues: Insurance market overhaulA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Are changes in the insurance industry enough to fix problems in the nation's health care system? THE POLITICS: To help expand health coverage, President Barack Obama is seeking changes to underwriting practices that can prevent Americans from obtaining affordable insurance. His proposals would ban higher premiums, caps or denial of coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition or when a person gets sick.

August 12th, 2009 Lawmaker health insurance costs at a glanceLawmakers in many states enjoy free or heavily subsidized health insurance paid for by tax dollars, even as the recession claims the jobs and health benefits of millions of workers who elected them. The disparity is creating a backlash in some states to cut back lawmakers' health benefits.

July 28th, 2009 Proposed tax on 'Cadillac' coverage questionedWASHINGTON — They call them Cadillac health plans. But a clunker may be hiding behind the sticker price.

July 23rd, 2009 Obama says Medicare benefits won't be cutWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says cutting Medicare costs won't mean cuts in benefits to seniors. He says his goal instead is to change how those benefits are delivered, to make them more efficient.

July 16th, 2009 A look at the Senate health committee billA look at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee: WHO'S COVERED: Aims to cover 97 percent of Americans. COST: About $615 billion over 10 years, but it's only one piece of a larger Senate bill.

June 22nd, 2009 Hyundai exec: Gas tax would ease buyer uncertaintyNEW YORK — Hyundai's top U.S. executive says consumers are skittish about the direction of gas prices and a flexible gas tax is needed to keep pump prices stable.

June 14th, 2009 Sebelius says Obama plan would lower health costsWASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the government health insurance plan proposed by the Obama administration would increase competition and drive down costs. Sebelius says President Barack Obama does not want to dismantle privately owned plans and does not want the 180 million people who have employer coverage to lose their insurance.

June 14th, 2009 Officials voice no support for health benefits taxWASHINGTON — Lawmakers and administration officials on Sunday distanced themselves from the idea of taxing health benefits to help pay President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and bickered over whether government insurance would strengthen the market. The debate over a government insurance plan has broken mainly along party lines.

June 14th, 2009 Senator says tax on health benefits is unnecessaryWASHINGTON — A leading Democratic senator says the idea of taxing health benefits is a bad one and unnecessary. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut says that people are struggling economically at the moment and don't need a new tax on the health care benefits they receive.

June 1st, 2009 New Delhi,June 1 (ANI-Business Wire India): Max New York Life Insurance, one of India's leading life insurance companies, today introduced the 'Lifeline Healthy Family' a health insurance plan, the most comprehensive long term insurance coverage for hospitalization, surgeries and critical illness for the entire family under one single policy. With the launch of 'Health Family' Max New York Life also became the first and the only company to offer benefits for congenital disorder.