Articles by Susan Heavey

Some Health Insurers Shifting Costs Ahead of New Loss Ratio Mandate

Some of the largest U.S. health insurers are changing their accounting practices to book administration costs as medical costs in an attempt to circumvent new industry reforms, according to a recent U.S. Senate panel’s report. Under the healthcare law passed …

Winners, Losers in Obama Health Proposal

Health insurers, makers of brand-name drugs and generic drugmakers are among the industry players who see further pressure in President Barack Obama’s health care proposal released Monday. The White House plans to hold a summit with Democratic and Republican congressional …

FDA Says Changes Needed in Review of Medical Devices

Food and Drug Administration staff said they face difficulties in reviewing certain medical devices, hurdles that may call for additional regulations and authorities, even as the industry defended the current approval process. At a public meeting Thursday, held to discuss …

Democrats Seize on Wellpoint’s 39% Rate Hike to Renew Reform Effort

Health insurer WellPoint Inc. defended its rate hike of up to 39 percent for certain California customers as Democrats latched onto the increase to press their case for overhauling the U.S. healthcare system. The controversy comes as Democrats struggle for …

Obama’s Budget Shows Only Modest Changes in Health Reforms

The Obama administration’s latest spending plan calls for modest changes to the U.S. health care system but does little to incorporate sweeping moves called for Democrats’ larger plan to increase access and cuts costs. In releasing his fiscal 2011 budget …

White House Budget Takes Small Steps on Health Care Reform

With plans to pass sweeping health care reform stalled in Congress, the White House is targeting smaller efforts to improve the nation’s health care system, such as increasing use of cheaper, generic medicines and boosting electronic medical records. The Obama …

Health Insurers Seek Tax, Profit Changes in Health Reform Bill

Health insurance lobbyists are pushing lawmakers to eliminate caps on profits and other administrative spending and delay a hefty, industry-wide tax under the massive healthcare reform legislation being finalized in Congress. Health insurers, which include companies such as Aetna Inc., …

Is There a Doctor In the Firm? Businesses Hope Wellness Plans Save

Liz Sequeira, a 52-year-old primary care physician, is too young to remember when U.S. doctors made routine house calls. So to her, seeing patients in her three exam rooms on the first floor of Discovery Communications Inc.’s modern headquarters in …

Health Insurers, White House Spar as Healthcare Debate Heats Up

The health insurance industry Thursday struck back at provisions in Congress’ healthcare proposals that it said would do little to curb the nation’s spiraling costs or provide people more affordable coverage. Congress is tip-toeing toward incremental healthcare reform that does …

House Republicans Plan Own Healthcare Reform Bill

Republicans in the House plan to offer an alternative to Democrats’ massive healthcare reform bill that would not raise taxes or require people or businesses to buy health insurance, the House Republican leader said Sunday. House Democrats last week introduced …