Maryland and Michigan Individual Health Insurance Reveal Growing TrendOctober 2007
Though medical coverage and the various national plans offered by presidential hopefuls has occupied the news for the better part of 6 months now, there's a growing trend in state legislature to take matters into their own hands when it comes to protecting citizens from medical debt. Two states doing just that are making the news this week, reflecting potentially exciting changes in the
Maryland health insurance and Michigan health insurance markets.
In Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to extend medical coverage to 100,000 of an estimated 800,000 uninsured Marylanders by helping small businesses cover their employees and expanding Medicaid coverage to poor adults. And while some say this move would be too costly, especially in light of the state's $1.7 billion budget deficit, O'Malley insists that his changes to Maryland health insurance would help in solving the budget deficit because 25% of the state's budget goes toward health costs.
Meanwhile,
Michigan health insurance is experiencing its own potential upsets, as residents buying their own individual medical coverage could get price and coverage protection under legislation passed Wednesday by the state House. The new legislation would guarantee that Blue Cross wouldn't be able to refuse individual health coverage if the person doesn't meet its criteria. People denied coverage by other insurers would be picked up by Blue Cross in a limited but guaranteed coverage pool. Other insurance carriers eventually would have to join Blue Cross to help cover losses in the pool based on their market share.
Facts on:
Maryland Small Business Health Insurance
Did you know...
There are 800,000 people without health insurance in the state of Maryland?
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Will such measures work? It's hard to say, but O'Malley's suggestions for restructuring Maryland health insurance are getting a lot of media attention, and the legislation effecting Michigan health insurance has a strong following.
Hopefully each will pass and offer consumers relief in finding affordable medical coverage. But in the mean time, those who need insurance should shop around online for the best deals, and keep an eye out for companies that offer tailor-made plans based on what each consumer needs, and can afford to pay.
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