Health insurance

Medicare reform could drive hospital change GoDanRiver.com

25.05.10

Everyone agrees the health reform law will impact the region’s emergency departments, yet no one really knows how.

Analysts and health care leaders say emergency departments — including those in Danville, Lynchburg and Roanoke — will see increased demand as health insurance reform rolls out.

The financial impact is hard to predict. Hospital leaders hope insuring more people would result in less uncompensated care. Yet, because of that same assumption, Medicare plans to reduce payments to hospitals.

“We really don’t know,” said E.W. Tibbs, vice president, operations, for Lynchburg-based Centra. “Any answer beyond that would be speculative and based off of assumptions that have yet to be determined.”

Many of the regulations for the new health-care system must still be written. Tibbs and other leaders say that while the reform expands health insurance coverage for more people, primary care networks still need to evolve to meet the new demand or emergency departments will continue to be “safety nets” for communities.

Source:

Health Insurance Quote Virginia - News

Obama hawks health care overhaul, citing study The Associated Press - Jul 25, 2009 FOXNewsObama hawks health care overhaul, citing studyThe Associated PressWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, citing a new White House study suggesting that small businesses pay far more per employee for health insurance than big LETTER: Say no to Obama's health planAs Health Bill Is Delayed, White House NegotiatesAre We Going To Allow This Crap?all 14,178 news articles »

In Hawaii, health insurance paid by employers The Associated Press - Jul 26, 2009 In Hawaii, health insurance paid by employersThe Associated Press_ Insurance costs: Hawaii had the cheapest average family premiums for employer-based health insurance, at $9426 in 2006. Next was Nevada at $9,.746 and the and more »

25 Million Have Insurance, But Not Enough CBS News - Jul 26, 2009 CBS News25 Million Have Insurance, But Not EnoughCBS NewsExplore health issues including AIDS, cancer and antibiotics. (CBS) President Obama will be promoting health care reform this week in Virginia and North and more »

Whistleblower tells of America's hidden nightmare for the sick guardian.co.uk - Jul 25, 2009 guardian.co.ukWhistleblower tells of America's hidden nightmare for the sickguardian.co.ukIn chilling words he told a Senate committee: "I worked as a senior executive at health insurance companies and I saw how they confuse their customers and Health-Insurer Tax May Help Break Senate Logjam Over Obama PlanSocialized health care won't work in AmericaHealthcare Exec Turned Whistleblower Says US Needs Universal Coverageall 217 news articles »

Group pushing national health care plan Beckley Register-Herald - Jul 26, 2009 Group pushing national health care planBeckley Register-HeraldFrom 2000 to 2007, one report Zuckett displayed shows, health insurance premiums for working families in West Virginia soared by 75 percent.