DIRTY TRICKS!!! Phone campaign against Association Health Plans

[kitkat65]

I screen our phone calls and this "Out of Area" number continually called at the same time each day. It finally got the best of me so I answered to a recorded voice lamenting the horrors of Association Health Plans - said it would reduce access to specialists, and you wouldn't be able to choose your doctor, yada yada. It then asked if I thought this was a bad idea and if I did, press one. I did because it did sound like a bad idea on the surface. I was then told to leave my name and information which would be sent to my senators to tell them I was against the AHPs.

Well, I don't know squat about Association Health Plans and I wasn't going to just take these people's word for it, so I hung up.

I researched (a quick and brief search on Yahoo) Association Health Plans and found the following . . . Read and tell me if you think the phone call was misleading.

The Tire Industry Association web page says:

Association Health Plan Legislation (AHP)

Summary: Association Health Plans (AHPs) will allow small business owners to band together across state lines through their membership in a bona fide trade or professional association to purchase health coverage for their families and employees. For example, many small business owners may have multiple memberships in the Tire Industry Association, NFIB, the U.S. Chamber, etc. If AHPs were to become law, a small business owner could purchase health benefits through any one of these entities who would in turn act much as the human resources department of a large company. As a result small business owners and employees will benefit from the same economies of scale, purchasing clout, and administrative efficiencies as Fortune 500 companies and union plans. This will result in lower health care costs and new coverage options for the working uninsured who are currently faced with no options other than the high priced, over-regulated plans that may exist in their individual states. Please take a few moments to contact your two Senators and one U.S. Representative on this very important issue.

The Association of Building Contractors web page says:

Association Health Plan Legislation

America's small businesses face a crisis today - the rising cost of health insurance coverage for employees. There is a solution - Association Health Plans (AHP.)

The U.S. House of Representatives adopted legislation that would clear the way for AHPs nationwide by a wide, bipartisan margin in June 2003. President Bush has stated strong support for this legislation. Bush urged the U.S. Senate to pass this legislation in his January, 20, 2004, State of the Union address.

A report released in 2003 by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the number of Americans without health insurance increased by 5.7 percent in 2002 to 43.6 million. The greatest percentage of increase was among the employed. AHPs will give America's small businesses the same economies of scale and healthcare coverage buying power that is today afforded to labor unions and America's largest corporations.

ABC has testified before Congress on the need for AHPs and can provide an expert spokesperson on this issue. ABC established an association health benefits plan in 1957 and through the years offered health insurance plans to its members, many of whom were small business owners who would otherwise not be able to afford health insurance coverage for their employees.

In 2001, ABC was forced to discontinue the health insurance portion of its plan when ABC''s insurance carrier terminated coverage because of incompatible and inconsistent state laws, making it too expensive to provide coverage. The legislation pending before the U.S. Senate will once again allow small businesses to gain access to quality healthcare through associations.

[wishlist]

1. Why would anyone try to prevent small businesses from getting healthcare

Seems very cynical to me that a lobbying organization wants to block small business people from being able to get group health coverage, after all participation in any such plan would be voluntary and group health insurance would certainly help those who have exorbitant premiums trying to buy insurance on their own and possibly no insurance because they cannot afford the premiums.

Perhaps some insurance companies that underwrite lucrative expensive health plans don't want to lose customers. They may be afraid of participants dropping out if small businesses can band together and get lower premiums than what they are currently paying for individual plans.

[kitkat65]

3. Yeah, the whole thing is fishy and misleading and it pissed me off.

And I don't remember if they gave a name for who they were but if they did, I sure don't remember it. My guess is that it's definitely not a grassroots movement since it's obvious whoever they are can afford computerized dialing technology.

I wonder how many people they've tricked into opposing something they would otherwise support given all the information.

[katinmn]

2. AHPs are a great deal for employers and a horrible deal for employees

While the low monthly premium ($150 or so) sounds good, the co-pays are $1200-$1400 on average.

Sick people put off going to the doctor because they will have to pay the premium out of their own pockets, on top of their monthly premums.

Doesn't make sense at all to me.

On the other hand, the Republican controlled government answers only to business so in that regard it does make sense.

[kitkat65]

4. It sounds like the individual plan I have now thru Blue Cross/Blue Shield

I remember the agent told me that there's a certain period in the year that BC/BS is obligated to accept all who apply. Of course, I'm sure they can charge any premium they want. I started at $125/month and am now up to $225/month within the last 3-4 years or so.

And I'm relatively healthy.

[katinmn]

5. Actually, deductibles are more in the $2400 range

I wrote an article about this recently and just checked my notes. Interviewed patients and doctors and it does not sound like a good deal to me.

[kitkat65]

8. So, are AHPs an attempt to put a band-aid on a crappy

health care system to both, appease those who hold the lobbying strings, AND make a politician look like they're being proactive?

[katinmn]

9. That's my opinion.

[KT2000]

6. As I understand it -

this plan would be exempt from state insurance laws - patients will not have recourse for denied plans that is often afforded in state laws.
I suspect that this plan is to create a new insurance system that escapes state law.

[katinmn]

10. THat's true, too. The only recourse a person has is to take their claim to

a federal office.

Not all health insurance plans fall under the jurisdiction of state government. If the health plan is self-funded and offered by a private sector employer or union, contact the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration. (Under a self-funded plan, your employer pays the medical claims and is, in essence, your medical insurer.) The DOL does not interpret provisions of any particular health benefit plan or require employers to pay claims, but may investigate your complaint.

[KT2000]

12. Know anything about ERISA?

Knew some people who had to have their disability claims approved under ERISA laws (I believe they had worked for fed gov). All those claims were denied without appeal.

[katinmn]

13. Employee Retirement Income Security Act

It sets minimum standards for health plans, such as requiring that plans state up front what's covered in the plan, and the appeals process.

COBRA and HIPPA rules also fall under ERISA.

[KT2000]

14. Thanks n/t

[KT2000]

7. delete

[Cleita]

11. These have been around for awhile.

On the surface, they are okay, but they have been taken over by the RW, and guess what, they managed to turn something that worked well for a group of people into a money making opportunity for themselves. I'm too tired to look up my information tonight, but I think google will give you results.