The group studying models for a Wyoming health insurance exchange will meet next week in Casper.
...
As it turns out, the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health is holding its own forum on exchanges earlier that day. So if you have a burning desire to study virtual insurance marketplaces, you can learn about exchanges in the morning and then watch one being developing in the afternoon.
http://trib.com/news/updates/health-exchange-group-meets-next-week-in-casper/article_6145c5a6-5b7f-56d9-8b07-832d4fe5a14c.html
Hat Tip: Casper Tribune
Showing posts with label Wyoming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wyoming. Show all posts
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Wyoming- Coalition Plans Forum on Health Exchanges
Insurance exchanges are a key part of the federal effort to reform health care, but many employers still don’t understand how they work.
“It’s really a vague, fuzzy notion for most people,” said Anne Ladd, chief executive of the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health.
Ladd wants to change that. She believes the more business owners know about exchanges, the more they’ll like them. That support, in turn, could convince reluctant lawmakers to push forward with a program in Wyoming.
...
A legislative committee has spent more than a year exploring models for a Wyoming exchange. But lawmakers won’t make a final decision on the program until next year - after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the federal health reform law.
That won’t leave the state much time to start an exchange before the January 2014 deadline, Ladd said.
Exchanges were popularized by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. But they are mostly associated with President Barack Obama, who is unpopular in Wyoming.
Because of that connection, some people immediately dismiss the value of exchanges. Opinions change, however, when they learn more about the concept, Ladd said.
“The federal legislation has a few hidden gems in there,” she said.
http://trib.com/news/local/casper/coalition-plans-forum-on-health-exchanges/article_62c174d8-f799-5519-9000-d038dc1acf14.html#ixzz1piEP5fiB
Hat Tip: Casper Tribune
“It’s really a vague, fuzzy notion for most people,” said Anne Ladd, chief executive of the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health.
Ladd wants to change that. She believes the more business owners know about exchanges, the more they’ll like them. That support, in turn, could convince reluctant lawmakers to push forward with a program in Wyoming.
...
A legislative committee has spent more than a year exploring models for a Wyoming exchange. But lawmakers won’t make a final decision on the program until next year - after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the federal health reform law.
That won’t leave the state much time to start an exchange before the January 2014 deadline, Ladd said.
Exchanges were popularized by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. But they are mostly associated with President Barack Obama, who is unpopular in Wyoming.
Because of that connection, some people immediately dismiss the value of exchanges. Opinions change, however, when they learn more about the concept, Ladd said.
“The federal legislation has a few hidden gems in there,” she said.
http://trib.com/news/local/casper/coalition-plans-forum-on-health-exchanges/article_62c174d8-f799-5519-9000-d038dc1acf14.html#ixzz1piEP5fiB
Hat Tip: Casper Tribune
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Wyoming- House Passes Health Insurance Exchange Bill
The Wyoming House passed a bill Tuesday to continue the study of a health insurance exchange for the state on a 50-8 roll call vote.
The bill, which previously passed the Senate, continues the steering committee study of an exchange for Wyoming and requires a report to the Legislature by October 1.
The bill also adds to the committee one member each from the Araphoe and Shoshone Indian tribes who are residents of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Gov. Matt Mead supports the steering committee's preliminary recommendation of a state-run insurance exchange.
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-house-passes-health-insurance-exchange-bill/article_54946dbe-6c7e-51f3-9d8e-af9bc1c00e08.html#ixzz1oOeumv17
Hat Tip: Casper Star-Tribune
The bill, which previously passed the Senate, continues the steering committee study of an exchange for Wyoming and requires a report to the Legislature by October 1.
The bill also adds to the committee one member each from the Araphoe and Shoshone Indian tribes who are residents of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Gov. Matt Mead supports the steering committee's preliminary recommendation of a state-run insurance exchange.
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-house-passes-health-insurance-exchange-bill/article_54946dbe-6c7e-51f3-9d8e-af9bc1c00e08.html#ixzz1oOeumv17
Hat Tip: Casper Star-Tribune
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wyoming- Rate of Exchange for Health Care Options Increases as Wyoming's Deadline Nears
Wyoming lacks a system for consumers to shop for insurance with the lights on. But that could change in 2014, when the state's first insurance exchange is expected to begin operating.
...
Despite the possible benefits, the success of a Wyoming exchange is hardly certain. Skeptics wonder whether the marketplace could succeed in a rural state with a small population. Designers must also convince a right-leaning Legislature to adopt a program that's most associated with President Barack Obama and federal health reform.
...
She[Rea] believes an exchange has the potential to improve the system here. But she's pessimistic lawmakers will establish a program that benefits their constituents.
"All someone in the Legislature has to say is, 'It's going to cost too much,'" she said. "Rather than looking at how citizens can have access to good, affordable health care."
...
When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, it made exchanges a key part of health reform. The law requires Wyoming to open an exchange by the start of 2014. States that don't meet the timeline risk a federal takeover.
Federal health reform remains controversial in Wyoming. But even critics of the reform law see potential in exchanges, said Anne Ladd, chief executive officer of the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health.
...
An exchange would also reduce the number of uninsured people in Wyoming. Between 38,000 and 41,000 people are expected to enroll in the marketplace by 2016, according to one estimate from a state consultant. More than 60 percent will be people who currently go without coverage.
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/rate-of-exchange-for-health-care-options-increases-as-wyoming/article_f8a2de54-8ace-542e-aad2-26b138fb78bf.html
Hat tip: Casper Star-Tribune
...
Despite the possible benefits, the success of a Wyoming exchange is hardly certain. Skeptics wonder whether the marketplace could succeed in a rural state with a small population. Designers must also convince a right-leaning Legislature to adopt a program that's most associated with President Barack Obama and federal health reform.
...
She[Rea] believes an exchange has the potential to improve the system here. But she's pessimistic lawmakers will establish a program that benefits their constituents.
"All someone in the Legislature has to say is, 'It's going to cost too much,'" she said. "Rather than looking at how citizens can have access to good, affordable health care."
...
When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, it made exchanges a key part of health reform. The law requires Wyoming to open an exchange by the start of 2014. States that don't meet the timeline risk a federal takeover.
Federal health reform remains controversial in Wyoming. But even critics of the reform law see potential in exchanges, said Anne Ladd, chief executive officer of the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health.
...
An exchange would also reduce the number of uninsured people in Wyoming. Between 38,000 and 41,000 people are expected to enroll in the marketplace by 2016, according to one estimate from a state consultant. More than 60 percent will be people who currently go without coverage.
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/rate-of-exchange-for-health-care-options-increases-as-wyoming/article_f8a2de54-8ace-542e-aad2-26b138fb78bf.html
Hat tip: Casper Star-Tribune
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Wyoming- Governor Mead Gives His Opinion on Health Care
“Another health care option currently being explored is the concept of health benefit exchanges. Heath benefit exchanges are mandated by the Affordable Care Act, which I oppose. However, if the Affordable Care Act is not overturned–and if Wyoming does not take preliminary, nonbinding steps to keep options open, then Wyoming could be limited to a federally run health exchange. If an exchange is mandated I prefer to have a state-run exchange. I hope the public will provide feedback about this concept.
“As I noted, my staff is participating in town hall meetings across the state. These meetings (there will be seven in all) are designed to hear from Wyoming people about the hurdles they face in health care, their ideas on how to improve health care in Wyoming and finally their opinions on a health care exchange. Thank you to the people who have come out and participated and to the others who have taken time to write or call my office to offer input.
“I want to be crystal clear. I oppose the Affordable Care Act and have devoted both Wyoming’s talent and resources to fight the federal mandate. Wyoming will address health care on its own terms. If Wyoming is ever required by the federal government to enact an exchange, we will do so consistent with the views of Wyoming people. I am glad to hear from you and look forward to more discussion as together we tackle Wyoming health care issues with Wyoming ingenuity.”
http://kowb1290.com/governor-mead-gives-his-opinion-on-health-care/
Hat tip: KOWB 1290
“As I noted, my staff is participating in town hall meetings across the state. These meetings (there will be seven in all) are designed to hear from Wyoming people about the hurdles they face in health care, their ideas on how to improve health care in Wyoming and finally their opinions on a health care exchange. Thank you to the people who have come out and participated and to the others who have taken time to write or call my office to offer input.
“I want to be crystal clear. I oppose the Affordable Care Act and have devoted both Wyoming’s talent and resources to fight the federal mandate. Wyoming will address health care on its own terms. If Wyoming is ever required by the federal government to enact an exchange, we will do so consistent with the views of Wyoming people. I am glad to hear from you and look forward to more discussion as together we tackle Wyoming health care issues with Wyoming ingenuity.”
http://kowb1290.com/governor-mead-gives-his-opinion-on-health-care/
Hat tip: KOWB 1290
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wyoming- State Officials Explain What Health Exchange Would Mean
If Wyoming fails to create its own health insurance exchange, the federal government will step in and do it, said Elizabeth Hoy, Gov. Matt Mead’s health care policy advisor.
Hoy and consultant Alicia Holmes explained how a health insurance exchange would work in Wyoming during a public forum here Wednesday.
About 70 people attended, with many speaking about their concerns regarding the health-care system. Mead will use their opinions to help create a statewide policy on health-care reform, Hoy said.
The meeting in Cheyenne was one of seven forums across the state.The state Legislature and Mead have not decided whether to move ahead with an exchange.
...
Hoy said it’s not clear whether an exchange would reduce the cost of insurance premiums.
The overall goal is to reducing health-care costs and improve quality, Hoy said.
An exchange would get more people insured. In Wyoming, an estimated 83,000 people do not have health insurance, Hoy said.
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/01/26/news/20local__01-26-12.txt
Hat tip: Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Hoy and consultant Alicia Holmes explained how a health insurance exchange would work in Wyoming during a public forum here Wednesday.
About 70 people attended, with many speaking about their concerns regarding the health-care system. Mead will use their opinions to help create a statewide policy on health-care reform, Hoy said.
The meeting in Cheyenne was one of seven forums across the state.The state Legislature and Mead have not decided whether to move ahead with an exchange.
...
Hoy said it’s not clear whether an exchange would reduce the cost of insurance premiums.
The overall goal is to reducing health-care costs and improve quality, Hoy said.
An exchange would get more people insured. In Wyoming, an estimated 83,000 people do not have health insurance, Hoy said.
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/01/26/news/20local__01-26-12.txt
Hat tip: Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Wyoming- Forum Focuses on Health Reform and Exchanges
The forum was notable for the lack of hostility directed at the federal health reform law passed by Congress in 2010. Polls have shown the law is deeply unpopular in Wyoming.
Gov. Matt Mead will use feedback from the meeting to help craft a strategy for reforming health care in Wyoming.
He also wants public input on health insurance exchanges, online marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can buy insurance.
Exchanges are designed with consumers in mind, said Alicia Holmes, a consultant who’s helping the state study options for the program. They’re set up with certain minimum coverage standards, so business owners can meaningfully compare different policies.
Gov. Matt Mead will use feedback from the meeting to help craft a strategy for reforming health care in Wyoming.
He also wants public input on health insurance exchanges, online marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can buy insurance.
Exchanges are designed with consumers in mind, said Alicia Holmes, a consultant who’s helping the state study options for the program. They’re set up with certain minimum coverage standards, so business owners can meaningfully compare different policies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)