Tag Archives: co-ops

HHS Releases Guidelines for CO-OPs

The federal government released its first set of guidelines yesterday for the creation of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs), which are nonprofit entities operating within a state to provide a health insurance alternative to its members.  Instead of buying … Continue reading

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Public Option Voted Down in Finance Committee

In a move the national media is decrying as the death of the public option, the Senate Finance Committee voted down two amendments yesterday that would have inserted language into the Chairman’s Mark creating and funding a public insurance plan … Continue reading

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Administration Hedges on Co-ops

Although it has been hinted at for weeks, this Sunday the Obama administration made its biggest hedge of support for the “public plan”.  On CNN’s State of the Union Sunday night, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius … Continue reading

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A Major Health Care Concession?

As expected, the Senate broke for August recess last week without the Finance Committee releasing a health care bill.  The news today however is comments made by a Democratic leader that signals a possible concession to the Finance Committee and … Continue reading

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The Energy and Commerce Bill, As Passed

Before the House left for the August district work period on Friday, the Energy & Commerce Committee became the fourth Congressional committee to pass comprehensive health care legislation (subscription).  However, the bill passed after a series of amendments negotiated between … Continue reading

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Are Co-ops the New AHPs?

Key Senators negotiating aspects of the Finance Committee health care reform bill spoke to the media yesterday and gave further details on the still-unfinished legislation.  Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) gave further details on the bill’s “co-op” proposal, and although the … Continue reading

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No Public Plan or Mandate in Finance Bill

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) emerged from a bipartisan conference yesterday to confirm that the Senate Finance Committee negotiators will not include two major components of the Democratic health care plan in their bill: the creation of a government-run insurance company … Continue reading

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How the HELP Bill Affects Associations

Yesterday, the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed its health care legislation out of committee in a 13-10 vote.  This is the first comprehensive health care bill to be passed from committee in this Congress.  The major … Continue reading

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A Public Plan Compromise Involving Pooling?

Senators from both parties and key committees are beginning to voice support for an idea proposed by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) earlier this week that is an alternative to a government-run public insurance company (“public plan”). While complete details have … Continue reading

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