Oregon House Approves Bill Mandating Insurance Coverage Of HPV Vaccine

The Oregon House on Wednesday voted 48-12 to pass a bill (H.B. 2794) that would require state-regulated insurance plans to cover the cost of the human papillomavirus vaccine for girls and women, the Oregonian reports. The vaccine, which FDA approved in 2006 for girls and young women ages nine to 26, protects against certain strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer. The bill does not require that people receive the vaccine, and its coverage requirements do not apply to “large companies that are self-insured.”

High HPV Vaccination Coverage Already Achieved In England

More than 70 per cent of 12-13 year old girls have already had their first HPV (human papillomavirus) jab since the vaccination campaign started in September, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced today. This figure will rise as more results come in.

The success of the campaign has prompted the Department of Health to announce that the catch up campaign to vaccinate girls aged 13-17 years will be brought forward to next year.

AHIP, BCBS Say They Support Guaranteed Coverage For People With Pre-Existing Health Conditions, As Long As All Individuals Required To Obtain Cover

America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in separate announcements on Wednesday said that they would support guaranteed health coverage for people with pre-existing health conditions, as long as lawmakers also approve an enforceable requirement that all U.S. residents obtain coverage, the New York Timesreports.

Some congressional lawmakers on Wednesday said that they want to pass health care legislation next year that is in line with the health care proposal of President-elect Barack Obama. According to the Times, “The new position taken by the insurance industry — the industry that helped sink President Bill Clinton’s plan for universal health coverage in 1994 — could ease the way for passage of such legislation” (Pear, New York Times, 11/20). Both of the industry’s proposals are included in a health care overhaul plan released last week by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) (CongressDaily, 11/19). Obama’s proposal would require insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions but initially would apply the coverage requirement only to children.

Pennsylvania Proposal To Extend Coverage For Uninsured Fails

The Pennsylvania Legislature on Wednesday failed to reach a compromise on legislation that would have expanded health coverage to more than 118,000 adults on a waiting list for Pennsylvania’s adultBasic insurance program, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The program provides health coverage for uninsured adults who do not qualify for Medicaid. Wednesday was the last working day for the current Legislature, and the state Senate is not scheduled to reconvene before the session ends in November. The AP/Inquirer reports that progress on passing a health care expansion bill “appeared unlikely before a new Legislature is sworn in in January” 2009.

Employment Rates, Economic Factors Could Decrease Access To Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage For Workers Younger Than Age 65, According To EBRI

The percentage of U.S. residents younger than age 65 who had health coverage through their employer remained at 62.2% between 2006 and 2007, but that percentage likely will decline in 2008, according to a Employee Benefit Research Institute report, the Kansas City Star reports. The report states that this year’s rise in unemployment rates and food and gasoline prices suggest a future decline in the number of workers who have or are able to afford employer-sponsored health insurance.

AHIP, BCBS Say They Support Guaranteed Coverage For People With Pre-Existing Health Conditions, As Long As All Individuals Required To Obtain Cover

America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in separate announcements on Wednesday said that they would support guaranteed health coverage for people with pre-existing health conditions, as long as lawmakers also approve an enforceable requirement that all U.S. residents obtain coverage, the New York Timesreports.

Some congressional lawmakers on Wednesday said that they want to pass health care legislation next year that is in line with the health care proposal of President-elect Barack Obama. According to the Times, “The new position taken by the insurance industry — the industry that helped sink President Bill Clinton’s plan for universal health coverage in 1994 — could ease the way for passage of such legislation” (Pear, New York Times, 11/20). Both of the industry’s proposals are included in a health care overhaul plan released last week by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) (CongressDaily, 11/19). Obama’s proposal would require insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions but initially would apply the coverage requirement only to children.

Employment Rates, Economic Factors Could Decrease Access To Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage For Workers Younger Than Age 65, According To EBRI

The percentage of U.S. residents younger than age 65 who had health coverage through their employer remained at 62.2% between 2006 and 2007, but that percentage likely will decline in 2008, according to a Employee Benefit Research Institute report, the Kansas City Star reports. The report states that this year’s rise in unemployment rates and food and gasoline prices suggest a future decline in the number of workers who have or are able to afford employer-sponsored health insurance.

Employment Rates, Economic Factors Could Decrease Access To Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage For Workers Younger Than Age 65, According To EBRI

The percentage of U.S. residents younger than age 65 who had health coverage through their employer remained at 62.2% between 2006 and 2007, but that percentage likely will decline in 2008, according to a Employee Benefit Research Institute report, the Kansas City Star reports. The report states that this year’s rise in unemployment rates and food and gasoline prices suggest a future decline in the number of workers who have or are able to afford employer-sponsored health insurance.

Employment Rates, Economic Factors Could Decrease Access To Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage For Workers Younger Than Age 65, According To EBRI

The percentage of U.S. residents younger than age 65 who had health coverage through their employer remained at 62.2% between 2006 and 2007, but that percentage likely will decline in 2008, according to a Employee Benefit Research Institute report, the Kansas City Star reports. The report states that this year’s rise in unemployment rates and food and gasoline prices suggest a future decline in the number of workers who have or are able to afford employer-sponsored health insurance.

Employment Rates, Economic Factors Could Decrease Access To Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage For Workers Younger Than Age 65, According To EBRI

The percentage of U.S. residents younger than age 65 who had health coverage through their employer remained at 62.2% between 2006 and 2007, but that percentage likely will decline in 2008, according to a Employee Benefit Research Institute report, the Kansas City Star reports. The report states that this year’s rise in unemployment rates and food and gasoline prices suggest a future decline in the number of workers who have or are able to afford employer-sponsored health insurance.