MASI Launches Quarterly Healthcare Luncheon Program at River Hills…

MASI has launched a Quarterly Healthcare Luncheon Program at River Hills Club in Jackson. So far two very successful events have been held: HIPAA Privacy Laws…Keeping Things Private, A Panel Discussion (August 11, 2011) and PPACA - Looking Forward to 2012 (November 10, 2011). Both events included a Luncheon and Two Hours CEU Credits, and the cost was only $15. Watch this site for details on upcoming luncheons... we are already working on our next luncheon, Wellness Programs - A Win-Win for Everyone!

MASI Posts Links to Healthcare Presentations

Some important presentations have been made at MASI's numerous educational events. Some of them are available here:

PPACA/ Health Reform Update, River Hills Luncheon, 11-10-11

HIPAA Basics by Armin Moeller, Fall Conference, 9-29-11

Healthcare Reform - Tax and Legal Implications, Spring Health Symposium, 5-19-11

Navigating the Waters of Health Care Reform and Keeping Your Health Care Plan Afloat, 5-19-11

The Politics of Reform – A State and National Perspective, 5-19-11

Every Question on Healthcare That You Never Thought To Ask, 5-19-11

 

Mississippi Insurance Department Developing State Exchange Using the State Risk Pool

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 mandates that each state establish a health insurance exchange by 2014. The exchanges are expected to act as marketplaces where individuals and businesses can purchase health insurance, in a similar manner comparison shopping is now done for on-line travel fares, auto insurance, etc. In response to the Legislature's inability to pass legislation in 2011 to create the exchange, the Mississippi Insurance Department has begun work to create one using the state's existing Excess Risk Pool. Federal grant funds are being made available to help with this project, however, the exchange must become self-supporting after its implementation. For more information, please monitor this website, or go to the MID website, www.mid.state.ms.us, and link to the healthcare pages.

Healthcare Now Part of MASI's Mission

In addition to representing its members in self-insured workers' comp issues, we will now be serving as an advocate for self-insured health as well! MASI has already been working in this direction - a special day focusing on Health Reform was added to the 2010 Fall Conference. And MASI included Healthcare Legislation in its lobbying activities with the Mississippi Legislature this year, even sending updates on Healthcare bills to its members on a routine basis. To further demonstrate its expanded focus, MASI's First Annual Spring Health Symposium was held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Mississippi Hospital Association. The all-day event was well-attended, included six hours of continuing education credits and was full of good information all health professionals should know!

State ‘Model’ Health Exchange Law Dies

by Mike Chaney, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner
April 7, 2011

I would like to take a little of your time today to talk about something that has dominated national news coverage for the last several years. It has also dominated a lot of time in the Mississippi Insurance Department.

When President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly known as Obamacare, last year, it set the stage for some sweeping changes in American health care. I'd like to be clear here that if I had a vote, I would not have supported PPACA.

However, one particular facet of the law deserves special attention - and that is the health care exchange. Simply put, an exchange is a website where people can compare competing health care plans and choose one they can afford that serves them best. (Think Travelocity or Orbitz as they work in the travel industry.)

TO READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE, CLICK HERE: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/chaney_state_model_health_exchange_law_dies/

Fair. Unbiased. Evenhanded. We have produced something that is genuinely unique. It's a consumer's guide to how the new health care overhaul works, in a question-and-answer format. You can also get a pamphlet version -- ideal for doctors' offices, clinics, work places and everywhere else that people meet and socialize. When you read the consumer's guide, I think you'll agree with me that it's the first effort anyone has made to even try to be objective, and that in itself is rather amazing. See if you agree. Give us your comments below the fold. Continue Reading Cheers, John Goodman President and CEO Kellye Wright Fellow National Center for Policy Analysis 12770 Coit Rd., Suite 800 Dallas, Texas 75251 http://www.ncpa.org Follow the NCPA via: