This updates our January, 15, 2009 posting. On February 4, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2) (the “Act”). The Act extends the State Children’s Heath Insurance Program (“SCHIP”) through the 2013 fiscal year and expands SCHIP to cover an estimated 4 million additional children.
Read More UPDATE: SCHIP Extension Signed Into Law
Healthcare
Massachusetts Attorney General Investigates Health Insurer and Provider
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
The Boston Globe has reported that the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, has launched an investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Partners HealthCare. Partners HealthCare owns several Massachusetts hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. …
Read More Massachusetts Attorney General Investigates Health Insurer and Provider
SCHIP Bill Passed Again By House
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
On January 14, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2) (the “Act”) by a vote of 289-139. The Act would expand coverage and extend the effective date of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (“SCHIP”), which is set to expire at the end of 2009 fiscal year.
New York Insurance Department: Insurers Must Treat All Married Same-Sex Couples Equally
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
On November 21, the New York Insurance Department (the “NYID”) issued Circular Letter No. 27 (the “Circular Letter”), “Recognition in New York of Marriages Between Same-Sex Partners Legally Performed in Other Jurisdictions.” The Circular Letter requires insurers to treat all couples in New York, including same-sex couples who were legally married outside of New York, equally.
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Announcement of Cover Florida Participating Health Insurance Companies Delayed
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Last August, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that nine health insurers submitted insurance coverage plans to provide healthcare insurance under the Cover Florida plan. The names of participating insurers were to be announced in early October, but have now been delayed due to scheduling conflicts during negotiations. …
Read More Announcement of Cover Florida Participating Health Insurance Companies Delayed
New York to Hold Joint Hearing on Out-of-Network Coverage
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
On October 7, 2008, the New York Insurance Department and New York Department of Health will be holding a joint meeting to address out-of-network insurance coverage. The hearing will be held in response to numerous consumer complaints regarding bills from specialists whom the consumers did not know were out-of-network.
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Lautenberg Reintroduces Measure to Keep New Jersey Children Covered by Health Insurance
On June 26, 2008, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) reintroduced a measure intended to ensure that children have access to healthcare. The measure was inserted into the Fiscal Year 2009 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations bill (the “Bill”). …
Read More Lautenberg Reintroduces Measure to Keep New Jersey Children Covered by Health Insurance
Connecticut Governor Vetoes Bill Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell recently vetoed House Bill 5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership (the “Bill”), which is intended to achieve savings for Connecticut municipalities, nonprofit groups and small employers with 50 employees or less by allowing them to join the current state employees’ health insurance program.
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Read More Connecticut Governor Vetoes Bill Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership
North Carolina Issues News Release Regarding Conseco’s Multi-State Settlement Regarding Long Term Care Insurance Claims
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Last week, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long issued a news release urging consumers holding long term care insurance policies issued by two subsidiaries of Conseco Inc. (“Conseco”) to be aware of a multi-state settlement (the “Settlement”) that could result in adjustments made to past claims. Conseco agreed to a $2.3 million fine, along with an additional $30 million for claims-handling improvements and restitution.
European Court of Justice Considers the Validity of Flemish Legislation Limiting Eligibility to a Care Insurance Scheme
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in European Union, Healthcare
In Government of the French Community, and Walloon Government v Flemish Government Case C-212/06, ECJ (Grand Chamber), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) determined that Flemish legislation limiting eligibility to a care insurance scheme was contrary to European provisions concerning the right to freedom of movement within the European Community (EC) in so far as the care insurance scheme included a residence requirement that excluded persons who worked in the Flemish region or in the bilingual Brussels-Capital, but who resided in another part of the national territory (ie the French or German speaking region).