Avedon Carol

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Getting Through Tough Economic Times ...

... Even with these coping techniques, however, sometimes these problems can seem overwhelming and you may need additional help to get through "rough patches." Fortunately, there are many people and services that can provide help. These include your:

* Healthcare provider
* Spiritual leader
* School counselor
* Community health clinic

Hello, in an employer based health care system unemployed people DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The NewsHour interviews couple who pay $800/month for insurances, yet even after co-pays have hundreds of dollars a month in expenses. Doctor explains how patients can't afford medicine.

Our Ailing Health Care: A film by an emergency physician

The Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform

Private health insurance in Mass. not living up to hype

The critics point out a number of worrisome signs. First, the part of the plan that is supposed to get those who supposedly can afford insurance to pony up, is failing -- mainly because the cost of the private coverage is so high. The doctors note the lowest-cost plan for a couple in their 50s costs $8,200 annually and includes a $2,000 per person deductible.

Big money to insurers

Meanwhile, the private insurers are making out like bandits. Blue Cross, as the state's largest insurer, supposedly is acquiring a surplus of more than $1 million each day. It was able to pay its outgoing CEO a $16.4 million retirement bonus.

One couple with chronic conditions struggles with high premiums and high co-pays

I suppose this is the logical conclusion of the American Health Neglect System:

CIGNA Creating a Virtual Health Care Community

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today CIGNA, a leading health service company, is announcing the development of a virtual health care community. This computer-simulated world is situated on a Second Life® island, where seminars, interactive displays, educational games and virtual health consultations help foster real and sustainable behavior change that improves health.

INSURANCE CO-PAYS, DELAYS, DENIALS, EXCLUSIONS, AND RECISSIONS.

Blue Cross was fined $150,000 by the California Department of Managed Healthcare to penalize it for 12 Million dollars in premium overcharging errors.

Assurant Health -- was just fined $3 million by the state of Connecticut for illegally denying care to hundreds of patients?

Kaiser Permanente Agrees to Settle Patient-Dumping Lawsuit

This is an update to a post last November on www.health-insurance-litigation.com about allegations of patient-dumping by Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday that Kaiser has agreed to a settlement of civil and criminal charges brought by the Los Angeles City Attorney. The first-of-its-kind settlement "requires the HMO to establish new discharge rules, provide more training for employees and allow a well-known former U.S. attorney to monitor its progress."

Via Suburban Guerrilla, Health plans say they’ll risk losing members to protect profit margins:

United CEO Stephen Hemsley told investors: “We continue to protect our margins. … We are committed to sustaining a quality business without taking shortsighted pricing positions.”

“We will not sacrifice profitability for membership,” WellPoint President and CEO Angela Braly told analysts during a conference call.