Canadian-style healthcare for Colorado would decimate insurers
A proposal which could see a universal healthcare system for all of Colorado’s residents would have a budget larger than the ACA in the state according to independent analysis; but it would almost certainly hit insurers’ revenues.
Voters will decide in November whether to adopt Amendment 69 which would create the new system would be a US first and generate revenue of $38 billion according to the Colorado Health Institute. That would be a larger income than McDonald’s and just behind New York Life Insurance.
ColoradoCare would use private providers of healthcare for everyone and, although private insurance companies would still be able to operate in the state, the
CHI report notes that the market is expected to be much smaller.
Under the plan, Medicaid and CHP+ clients would be transferred to ColoradoCare and the state’s healthcare marketplace would be shut down. Both proposals would require Washington’s approval. Federal and state money would be diverted to ColoradoCare along with a new tax, to fund the program.
If voters decide they like the proposal it could be a blueprint for others states; which could mean more pain for private health insurers.
Insurers plan to pay out for assisted dying
Insurance companies in Canada could waive the standard 2-year exemption for suicides where deaths are assisted by a physician. The head of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has told The Province that the association has told Ottawa that its members would pay out on policies if federal guidelines are followed.
A legislated process could be announced in the coming week but may not be standard across provinces. CLHIA’s Frank Zinatelli said that it wants to facilitate the wishes of Canadians. "If you follow the process, which is outlined by the government or governments, then that possible exclusion won't be applied,” he said, referring to the 2-year rule.
Work at this insurer and get paid to sleep
There are multiple studies on the importance of sleeping well and it has a large impact on productivity. That’s why employees of Aetna are being rewarded for getting better sleep.
"If they can prove they get 20 nights of sleep for seven hours or more in a row, we will give them $25 a night, up $500 a year,” chairman and CEO Mark Bertolini told CNN’s Squawk Box. He shared that the insurer is getting 69 minutes more per worker per month as a result of investing in wellness and mindfulness initiatives.
