In a loss deeply felt by grown-ups, the “Greatest Show on Earth” from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will close forever in May. The Show featured a three-ring circus that overwhelmed and forced us to choose which of the simultaneous acts to watch. In choosing, we often missed something more exciting in another ring.…
With the election of Donald Trump and retention of a Republican Congress, “Obamacare” dies. But “repeal and replace” simply means that Congress will repeal and Washington State will replace. Sure the money will be gone; but, the rules won’t change. Instead, we face the tedious, expensive, and confusing process of revising insurance forms and processes…
President Obama surprised many folks today by proposing to allow small employers and the self-employed to form multiple employer plans without regard to the “common bond” standard required by the Department of Labor. The elimination of the “common bond” requirement would eliminate one of the highest hurdles to the creation of group benefit programs for…
When I jokingly posted my “Ground Hog’s Day” video” here two years ago, I had no idea how depressingly accurate that joke would become. Our experience with federal health care reform has mirrored past attempts at reform through regulation. As I noted here when the Affordable Care Act was signed, it’s not the absence of…
The Washington Insurance Commissioner’s Office (OIC) responded to my public disclosure request and released the settlement agreement signed by the Business Health Trusts (BHT) and Commissioner Kreidler on September 28, 2015. The Agreement includes two exhibits. Exhibit A which alphabetically lists employers in each of the 13 different associations comprising BHT and Exhibit B which…
Many folks have asked for explanations and guidance on the creation or continuation of association health plans (AHPs) in Washington State. The tortured history of AHP regulation in this state defies any imposition of rational thought, let alone legal explanation. Here’s one example that you can mull over while you’re parked on the interstate. Just…
