LEG REG REVIEW 2018, 5th Issue *** February 5, 2018

On February 6, Governor Tom Wolf will present his proposal for the FY 2018-19 State Budget to the General Assembly. Read more.

Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you’re eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs. Read more.

Aetna | AFA Benefits Update

We've updated our Small Group Aetna Funding Advantage (AFA) portfolio. Starting with April 1, 2018 effective dates, you can use our benefit grids on Producer World when talking with your under 50* clients about AFA. Read more.

If You Missed It: Connect with Capital, January 2018, Vol. 3

What's Inside: Group Paperwork: Post Submission Changes to Applications | Large Group Custom HRA Applications | Amazing! Capital BlueCross Ranks Highest Among Health Insurers Nationally for Fourth Year | Salesforce Tip! Rep Assignment Lookup | Producer of Record (POR) Letter for Renewal Groups | Employee Perks with Blue365® | Tell Us How You Live Fearless and Win a Trip to Disney! | Makeover! Secure Member Account Page Getting a New Look. Read more.

New Era New Agent Portal Launch!

We are extremely excited to announce that phase one of our NEW AGENT PORTAL went live on Monday, February 5th. Read more.

House bill cuts ObamaCare public health fund by $2.85 billion

The House’s short-term bill to fund the government cuts $2.85 billion over 10 years from an ObamaCare public health fund, using the money to help pay for a range of health-care programs. Read more.

Pennsylvania Republican wants to impeach judges in gerrymandering case

Faced with a Friday deadline to redraw the state's congressional maps, Pennsylvania Republicans are instead insisting they'll continue to fight against the state Supreme Court -- with one lawmaker calling for justices' impeachment. Read more.

House passes bill to ease menu labeling rules under ObamaCare

The House passed legislation Tuesday to ease the ObamaCare rule that requires restaurants, convenience stores and supermarkets to list the calorie count of each menu item before it’s set to take effect in May. Read more.

The GOP’s Coming Obamacare Capitulation

If conservatives don’t coalesce behind a new repeal plan soon soon, they will find themselves bystanders as their Republican colleagues link arms with Democrats. Read more.

Amazon v. Kaiser Permanente Health Benefits Smackdown

One way to size up Amazon.com's new effort to rethink U.S. health benefits is to look at the health benefits Amazon already offers. Read more.

DOL’s latest move makes it easier for you to offer unpaid internships

Good news: The feds just gave employers more incentive to offer internship programs. Read more.

DOJ asks for more information on CVS-Aetna deal

The Department of Justice has asked CVS Health and Aetna for more information in connection with their $69 billion deal. Read more.

Republicans give up on Obamacare repeal

Republicans are giving up on their years-long dream of repealing Obamacare. Read more.

Employer Health Insurance: Often-Hated, Sometimes Pioneering, and Now on Amazon’s Radar

Everyone likes to complain about our company-based system, but there have been real examples of innovation. Read more.

Why Desperate Families Are Getting Religion on Health Coverage

When Erica Jackson and her husband decided she would quit her job as a nurse and stay at home with their three kids, they knew they couldn’t afford insurance on the individual market. Read more.

9 states considering individual mandate rules: report

Nine states are considering laws that would require their residents to purchase health insurance, the The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday. Read more.

Health Care Reform Webinar

Since the passage of the ACA in 2010 and the recent passage of the AHCA through the House and the failed Senate votes on the BCRA and the HCFA (Skinny Repeal), it's important to stay informed so you can better serve your clients in the group health and under 65 individual markets.  The weekly Health Care Reform Webinars are your resource to stay close to the proposed law and to ask questions that may be important to your livelihood and to your clients. Join us each week to learn more and get your questions answered. Register now.

Health Care Reform Webinar Archives

Click here to view the archived videos of the Health Care Reform Webinars.