USA Today reports that the Supreme Court’s review could cause the the health law debate to stretch through the presidential campaign. Other media outlets take a look at what would happen without the individual mandate, and at stakeholders’ positions related to the law’s Medicaid expansion.
USA Today: Court Action Could Prolong Health Care Fight Next month’s challenge to the Obama-sponsored health care law could affect the care available to most Americans, alter the balance of power between Washington and the states and remain a flash point through this presidential campaign (Biskupic, 2/21).
Politico Pro: Attorney: No ‘Death Spiral’ If Mandate Goes A court-appointed attorney on Friday told the Supreme Court that there is no reason to eliminate health care reform’s guaranteed issue and community rating provisions if it declares the individual mandate unconstitutional.
In the world of car insurance the insurance broker will look at two things when looking give a cheap auto coverage quote. Those two things a the car and the driver. Both aspects of these will be measured in terms of its. The car risk is measured by determining if the car is safe enough to insure. And the driver risk is measured in terms of driving history and responsibility. As a driver you can get cheap vehicle insurance simply by driving responsibly.
When you drive responsibly you can drive your way to keep insurance by driving slowly and defensively. If you happen to be a male this can be a rather humorous situation. Read more…
Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited has announced that it is beginning a search for a new chief financial officer to replace Richard Houghton, who is to leave the firm on 29 February.
Chief Risk Officer Julian Cusack will assume the position of acting chief financial officer until a permanent successor is appointed.
Cusack formerly held the post of chief financial officer with the firm, and Head of Risk Stephen Postlewhite will become acting chief risk officer.
Chief Executive Officer Chris O’Kane said that Houghton had been an invaluable member of Aspens Executive Management team for the last five years, and wished him well in his future endeavours.
O’Kane praised Cusacks in-depth financial knowledge, adding that the firm was fortunate to have him as an interim CFO.
Justice Department attorneys argue that even if the Supreme Court overturns the individual mandate, it doesn’t need to void the entire law.
Reuters: Obama Lawyers Argue Rest Of Health Law Can Survive The Obama administration told the Supreme Court on Friday that nearly all of President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul can survive if the court declares unconstitutional the law’s centerpiece provision requiring health coverage. Administration attorneys argued in a written brief that all but two provisions can be separated from the requirement that Americans buy health insurance or pay a penalty by 2014, the law’s cornerstone known as the individual mandate (Vicini, 1/27).
Politico: Justice Dept.
LV= has announced that it is expanding its presence in Bristol, where its office handles general insurance business including customer service, claims handling and IT.
AXA PPP healthcare has announced that it is enhancing its support for those policyholders with cancer/heart disease, with immediate effect.
The insurer is now providing full cover for licensed cancer drugs, on its standard coverage levels for individuals and SMEs.
Regarding cancer treatment, the firm is waiving any monetary limits applying to out-patient tests and consultations.
AXA PPP is also extending its Freephone Dedicated Nurse service to those with a heart condition and providing reassurance to the ill and their families.
Following treatment for cancer or heart disease there is no time limit for follow-up tests and consultations monitoring long term recovery.
Policyholders will also benefit from £150 towards wigs and up to £5,000 to cover the cost of external prostheses such as eyes or limbs.
AXA PPPs commercial director Fergus Craig explained that the firm wanted its policyholders to feel confident that it was committed to supporting them.
Chicago Tribune: Express Scripts Loss No ‘Death Knell’ For Walgreen As the clock ticked down on the pending divorce of Walgreen Co. and one of its largest customers, rivals of the drugstore giant raced to woo millions of soon-to-be-displaced consumers whose medications wouldn’t be covered by insurance at its stores come Jan. 1. CVS Caremark, Rite Aid and other small- to medium-size drugstores launched advertising campaigns and beefed up staff in anticipation of adding tens of millions of new prescriptions should Walgreen and Express Scripts Inc. fail to come to terms on a new contract starting in 2012 (Frost, 1/8).
Kaiser Health News: Capsules: Millions Find Walgreens No Longer IN Their Rx Networks Express Scripts had been negotiating a new contract to keep Walgreens in its network.
International specialty property/casualty insurer and reinsurer Catlin Group Limited has announced that Adrian Spieler is to join the firm in February when he will assume the position of group chief administrative officer.
Most recently he worked for Swiss Re as chief operating officer for the firms Asset Management activities in Zurich, New York, London and Bratislava.
Spieler will acquire a seat upon the Group Executive Committee and responsibility for information technology, management information and operational support.
His role will be based in Zurich, but he will also spend significant amounts of time in London and other Catlin offices, and will report directly to Catlin Group Chief Executive Stephen Catlin.
Spielers appointment will enable Chief Operating Officer Paul Jardine to spend more time on the functions for which he holds responsibility.
Legal General has raised medical evidence limits in efforts to reduce processing times.
The changes mean that more underwriting decisions will be made at the point of sale, allowing more customers get confirmation of cover quickly.
For life cover up to age 35 next birthday LG has increased the automatic medical evidence limit to £750,001, and for critical illness cover up to age 30 next birthday, the limit has risen to £450,001.
The insurer has also reduced the number of blood tests and microscopic urinalyses required.
According to LG Protection underwriting and claims director, Russell Whitworth, around 6,000 extra cases a year should now go through without the need for additional underwriting.