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November 30, 2011, 3:49 pm
The House Insurance Committee held a public hearing today on House Bill 1551, which addresses the credentialing process for physicians in the state. Chairman Nicholas Micozzie (R-Delaware) stated that House Bill 1551 would authorize the state to set the terms and conditions that both the insurers and physicians must follow during the credentialing process, provides for physician reimbursement during the credentialing process, and allows physicians the right to appeal if their application is rejected.
Chairman Micozzie commented that physicians claimed that the credentialing process was unnecessarily burdensome due to insurers, while insurers claimed that the length and burden of the process was the fault physicians who improperly fill out requisite forms. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
October 18, 2011, 11:05 am
This morning the House Insurance Committee conducted its second in a series of public hearings regarding the contract impasse between Highmark and the UPMC Health System in western Pennsylvania. Officials from the Department of Health provided testimony on the department’s role in protecting the people affected by the impasse. The officials told the committee, “The Department of Health has great concern for the disruption that could occur to a vast number of individuals in western Pennsylvania if Highmark and UPMC terminate their contract.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
October 5, 2011, 11:41 am
This morning the House Insurance Committee conducted its fourth public hearing on the subject of health benefits exchanges. The lawmakers heard testimony from Cheryl Smith, former Director of the Utah Health Exchange office and current director at Leavitt Partners. Smith provided an overview of the state of Utah’s health exchange and the lessons learned in setting up the program. The committee is determining whether or not Pennsylvania should set up a health benefits exchange. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
June 22, 2011, 12:14 pm
This morning the House Insurance Committee approved SB 3, legislation prohibiting abortion coverage through qualified health plans offered through a health insurance exchange except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is in danger, along a 22-2 vote.
The legislation was drafted in anticipation of the establishment of a state health exchange as prescribed in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The bill was passed with negative votes from Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery) and Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny). An amendment proposed by Rep. Shapiro out of a concern that the language of the bill effectively “would make it impossible for an individual to secure insurance coverage, even paying a separate premium, for abortion-related services,” failed along a 3-22 vote, with Minority Chairman Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny) joining with Representatives Shapiro and Smith. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
June 14, 2011, 12:27 pm
Edmund Haislmaier, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Health Policy Studies, was the lone testifier this morning before the House Insurance Committee, speaking on the topic of health benefits exchanges and their implementation under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Haislmaier described exchanges as a “tool” similar to pliers, in that they can be useful or useless depending on how they are employed. He contended that under PPACA exchanges have not been implemented correctly, and detailed the options faced by state lawmakers across the country as they decide whether or not to go forward with their own plans or wait for the federal government to intervene in 2014.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
May 25, 2011, 11:19 am
The House Insurance Committee held a public hearing this morning to discuss implementation of state-run health benefit exchanges under the federal Affordable Care Act. A member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners presented testimony to the committee on the requirements of the state exchanges, possible implementation problems, and necessary considerations in implementation.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
May 24, 2011, 11:01 am
The House Insurance Committee voted unanimously to report as amended House Bill 424. The legislation introduced by Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) amended the law regarding violations. The committee members voted unanimously to adopt an amendment offered by Rep. Dom Costa (D-Allegheny) which removed the current language in the bill and inserted new language to provide for certain violations committed by public adjusters to be felonies of the third degree and to further provide for the licensing of public adjusters. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
May 11, 2011, 12:27 pm
The House Insurance Committee this morning heard from two panels in support and opposition to HB 532, legislation by Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) that would require insurance companies to cover general anesthesia for dental procedures, and associated medical costs, for children aged seven or younger, and people with developmental disabilities. The mandate would apply to work done in health care facilities or dental offices.
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Dental Association and the Pennsylvania Society of oral and Maxillofacial Surgery spoke in support of the legislation, which has been introduced in one form or another since 1999, while the Insurance Federation of PA and Independence Blue Cross voiced concerns with the measure. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
May 10, 2011, 11:16 am
The House Insurance Committee conducted a public hearing on House Bill 434 which amends Pennsylvania’s Public Adjuster Licensing Law’s penalty provisions and provides for civil remedy. Also the panel of testifiers discussed House Bill 561 which makes major changes to the existing statute. Supporting testimony was offered by the Insurance Department, the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, the American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and the Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. The Insurance Adjustment Bureau, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and Citizens Public Adjusters expressed serious concerns with several key provisions in the legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
April 26, 2011, 12:30 pm
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department testified before the House Insurance Committee on the various duties, roles and responsibilities the Department plays with respect to the Commonwealth’s insurance industry. Deputy commissioners from the Department’s bureaus discussed corporate and financial regulation, solvency and market regulation, Mcare, CHIP and numerous other funds over which the Department has oversight. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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