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Friday, January 13, 2012

Health Care Reform Articles - January 13, 2012

January 12, 2012

U.S. Seeks Rollback of a Health Insurer’s ‘Excessive’ Rate Increase




WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Thursday that rate increases sought by a health insurance company were unreasonable, and it ordered the insurer to rescind them or justify its refusal to do so.
Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, issued the finding against the carrier, Trustmark Life Insurance Company, a unit of Trustmark Mutual Holding Company.
Ms. Sebelius said that “the excessive rate increases” would affect nearly 10,000 people in Alabama, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wyoming.
“It’s time for Trustmark to immediately rescind the rates, issue refunds to consumers or publicly explain their refusal to do so,” Ms. Sebelius said, wielding power granted by the new health care law.


Gosselin Says Health Insurers Prospering Since Overhaul




Posted: January 13
Updated: Today at 1:27 AM

Maine Voices: Momentum growing for petition protesting health care service cuts

Some state lawmakers have said they support the movement.

By JENNIFER LUNDEN

PORTLAND - As a social worker who works every day with some of Maine's most vulnerable citizens, I know firsthand the devastating impact Gov. Paul LePage's proposed $220 million cuts to health care services would have. One day, I realized I could do something about it -- something more than contact my legislators or write a letter. I realized I could start a petition that would help all the people who oppose these cuts have a voice.
http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/momentum-growing-for-petition-protesting-health-care-service-cuts_2012-01-13.html


Yesterday at 1:49 PM

LePage sparks State House dust-up

Gov. LePage pushes for progress on a DHHS shortfall by criticizing Democrats in a news release, disrupting a session where legislators were seeking a solution.

By Susan M. Coverscover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

AUGUSTA — A key Democratic lawmaker threatened to walk out of a meeting on the state budget Wednesday after Gov. Paul LePage issued a statement saying Democrats were delaying action on the budget and blaming them for a $221 million shortfall.
http://www.pressherald.com/news/state-house-dust-up_2012-01-12.html





LePage plan would cut MaineCare coverage for families making more than $22,350


AUGUSTA, Maine — The viability of the Dirigo Health program is closely entwined with Gov. Paul LePage’s plan to overhaul MaineCare, lawmakers learned Thursday.
The governor’s proposal, designed to close an estimated $220 million gap in the Department of Health and Human Services budget, calls for axing MaineCare coverage for about 19,000 childless adults in the next fiscal year. But to pay for their final months of coverage in this fiscal year, LePage wants to take $10 million from Dirigo.
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/12/health/lepage-plan-would-cut-mainecare-coverage-for-families-making-more-than-22350/

Maine Democrats line up behind health care law

Posted Jan. 13, 2012, at 5:58 a.m.
AUGUSTA, Maine — State Rep. Sharon Treat says she’s joining 50 other Maine Democrats and hundreds of legislators across the country in filing a “friend of the court” brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the national health care law.



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