NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Citigroup Inc. (C) took another step to right itself, announcing plans to divest a business that has long been seen as a poor strategic fit.




Citi said it announced an initial public offering for Primerica Inc., which sells mainly term-life-insurance policies and other investment and deposit products, and refers loans to Citi.



Primerica was a building block of Sanford "Sandy" Weill's legendary--and now notorious--empire that Chief Executive Vikram Pandit is now trying to whip into shape. But Primerica had been an early target for divestiture, though no buyer was found.



Earlier this year, Pandit decided to separate businesses that don't fit with his focus on retail, commercial, and investment banking into a separate division, Citi Holdings. Primerica was one unit that didn't fit with Pandit's vision of banking.



Citi approached several private-equity firms about the potential purchase of the unit. It said it intends to divest its remaining interest in Primerica after completion of the offering.



"We believe [the IPO] is the best separation alternative for this franchise," Citi Holdings Chief Executive Michael Corbat said in a press release.



Corbat had said Citi has some flexibility in divesting Citi Holding's business. It formed a joint venture with Morgan Stanley for Citi's Smith Barney brokerage business; it sold a string of consumer finance operations in Europe and its Japan brokerage and asset-management businesses.



"Today's announcement represents an important step in simplifying our organization and demonstrates our continued success in finding solutions for Citi Holdings," Corbat said.



The bank wouldn't say how much it expects in proceeds, or how much it would own after the IPO, only that up to an estimated $100 million of stock would be sold.



Primerica, which has about 100,000 sales representatives, offers life insurance and investment products such as mutual funds and targets middle-income households.



In the first half of 2009, it had earnings of $244.7 million on revenue of $ 1.09 billion, down from $269.1 million and $1.19 billion, respectively.



Through reinsurance arrangements covering insurance policies in place as of Dec. 31, Citi said it will continue to receive a "significant stream of income" from Primerica.


http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200911051815DOWJONESDJONLINE000984_FORTUNE5.htm

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IFCI rose 3.20% to Rs 51.55 at 12:00 IST on reports the government has shortlisted three consultants for advising it on stake sale in the firm




Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 178.45 points, or 1.11%, to 16242.42.

On BSE, 86.28 lakh shares were traded in the counter as against an average daily volume of 1.03 crore shares in the past one quarter.

The stock hit a high of Rs 52.85 and a low of Rs 50.90 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 61.15 on 9 September 2009 and a 52-week low of Rs 15.25 on 28 November 2008.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 5 November 2009, falling 7.07% as compared to the Sensex 4.76% fall. It underperformed the market in past one quarter, correcting 3.66% as against 1.01% rise in the Sensex.

The mid-cap state-controlled project financier has an equity capital of Rs 737.84 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

The current price of Rs 51.55 discounts the company's Q2 September 2009 annualised EPS of Rs 10.33, by a PE multiple of 5.

The move comes two years after an abortive attempt to induct a strategic partner in IFCI after the company did not agree with the demand of the highest bidder, Sterlite-Morgan Stanley joint venture, for management control.

According to reports, the government will soon appoint one of the three consultants - Boston Consultancy Group, Ernst & Young and Mckinsey - for advising on stake sale in the financial institution, future course for the institution, growth drivers and the company's role in the changed market environment. The consultant would take six months to submit its report.

Currently, the government does not have any direct ownership in IFCI. State-owned insurance firms and financial institutions, such as LIC, IDBI Bank and Punjab National Bank, own around 28.5% in IFCI.

The main hurdle in the way of the stake sale, reports suggest, is the lack of clarity on the optionally convertible debentures worth Rs 523 crore issued by the government.

IFCI's net profit declined 26.5% to Rs 190.48 crore on a 14.2% fall in sales to Rs 514.16 crore in Q2 September 2009 over Q2 September 2008.

IFCI provides project financing, financial services and comprehensive corporate advisory services. The company also provides equipment finance, equipment credit, equipment leasing, corporate loans, short-term loans and working capital loans to meet the specific needs of corporates.

http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/News.aspx?NewsId=352344

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Protecting financial health requires as much vigilance as protecting physical health. That is why the AVMA Group Health and Life Insurance Trust encourages its plan participants and all AVMA members to undertake an annual evaluation of the types and scope of insurance coverage they currently possess based on where they are on their professional and personal paths.

Yearly reviews can reveal gaps in insurance coverage created by a change in marital status, a growing family, purchase of major assets such as a home or practice, children who are entering college, practice expansions, and other life changes—any of which may trigger adjustments to an insurance portfolio.

Life changes may signal the need to add or expand disability insurance or insurance to cover professional overhead expenses, which protect veterinarians' personal and business finances when illness or injury keeps them from practicing for an extended time. Life insurance adjustments also may be required to ensure loved ones are financially protected in the event of death.

"Insurance is your protection from the bumps in life's road," said Dr. James F. Peddie, GHLIT secretary/treasurer, who was forced to leave his veterinary practice serving the movie industry when an immune-system disorder rendered him unable to work safely with predatory animals. "My disability coverage was sufficient to protect my income while I recovered and transitioned into my next life stage. If you are a practice owner, POE insurance offers the same protection for your business, covering overhead expenses and keeping a practice viable until the veterinarian can either sell it or return to work."

Regular medical plan check-ups—at least every three years—by a licensed insurance agent or financial planning specialist are also important for identifying ways to reduce health care costs while maintaining appropriate coverage levels. Insurance is constantly evolving, and GHLIT's portfolio evolves with it to provide plan options that meet almost every need in terms of scope of benefits and premium levels.

For example, high-deductible health savings account-qualified medical plans are growing in popularity among GHLIT participants. Since the plans were first introduced in 2004, participation has increased steadily, reaching 33 percent in July 2009.

Driving the popularity of high-deductible HSA-qualified plans are their low premiums and ability to reduce out-of-pocket health care expenses by tapping into the tax-deferred savings available through the HSA. Personal and portable, HSAs allow participants to deposit pretax dollars that can then be withdrawn, tax free, to pay for eligible medical expenses not covered by health insurance plans.

GHLIT trustees take pride in the insurance products available through the Trust and are constantly evaluating the market to identify opportunities to enhance coverage and reduce costs. By staying abreast of ongoing changes within the insurance industry, they can design insurance plans that provide high-quality, comprehensive health and financial protection.

More information on GHLIT's benefits can be found at www.avmaghlit.org.The GHLIT insurance program is underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company. For more information—including plan details, rates, exclusions, limitations, eligibility, and renewal provisions—or to find a GHLIT agent, call the Trust office at (800) 621-6360.

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov09/091115d.asp

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Adverse selection is one of those life insurance terms that fits better in a textbook than rolling off the tongue of someone shopping for life insurance. What exactly does it mean? Not only will we explain adverse selection but more importantly, how you can avoid the inevitable pitfalls it creates with life insurance (or any insurance for that matter) down the road. Let's look closer at adverse selection in the market.

It's an insurance term (obviously) but it's effect can significantly impact the ability of your insurance policy to pay (life, health, property and casualty, etc) later on when you most need it. Let's first define it in layman's terms. I'll use a broader definition to mean any plan design, pricing, or option that degrades the ability of a given insurance plan to remain solvent and structurally intact. It may sound counter-intuitive but adverse selection is any element of an insurance product that attracts bad risk. That's it in a nutshell but we're concerned for ourselves...not for the life insurance companies. What usually is bad for life insurance companies is good for us, right?? Up to a point and only for temporary period of time. It's best to take some examples that we have actually seen in the market.

Pricing. This is almost so common that I tend to think some carriers intentionally underprice their product in order to rapidly expand market share and the number of insured. Maybe I'm cynical and a given insurance carrier has some hidden means to limit risk or a new pricing structure never before seen. There's not much new under the sun with such a tested and conservative product such as term life insurance. Most carriers have similar access to actuarial data and there's only so much squeezing any one company can accomplish with their overhead. If the pricing for a given life insurance plan or company is significantly lower than similarly structured options, there might be a problem. Term life is a commodity but only to some extent. There's a health range of pricing that usually denotes a company is doing things correctly. The carrier ratings can help indicate potentially problems (since pricing is half of the financial equation for a life insurance company with claims being the other).

Another form of adverse selection is the old "too good to be true" in terms of options/coverage. This can mean a range of things. An example would be a health insurance plan that has super rich maternity benefits (as compared to other carriers). Guess what...people looking at future childbirths will go that direction and all of a sudden, the carrier's claims are skyrocketing. The carrier either has to drive the premiums to match, reduce the benefit, or pull the plan all together from the market. FYI...the last option is one taken by a major health insurance carrier we dealt with in the past. That's not a good place to be especially if you're already pregnant (roughly 75% of our clients with this carrier were pregnant at the time the carrier notified us they were leaving the market). What may seem like a wonderful benefit for the insured can be too good for the carrier to deliver on. This is another form of adverse selection.

Faulty underwriting can also result in adverse selection for a life insurance company. If a life company has very laxed underwriting requirements, without fail, people with health issues will flock this direction (for lack of an available alternative). This can along almost any health or habit attribute that you can think of. Worst yet is when a life insurance company is just generally more aggressive in overall underwriting to such an extent that it becomes adverse selection. We're all for reasonable and even progressive underwriting to help more people qualify for coverage but not at the expense of financial stability and pricing/product jeopardy later on. Again, there will be differences on the market but if pricing is significantly out of bounds, you can generally expect issues in the future as a result. This is adverse selection and you want to avoid something that seems too good to be true...a surefire indication that it's taking place with your prospective life insurance plan.


http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/adverse-selection-and-life-insurance-plans-1416246.html

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Celtic Health Insurance Company is a major player in the US market. It was started in the year 1978 in Chicago, Illinois as broker for insurance and Reinsurance Company for group life and health coverage. Yet, today it is one of the top players in the US market. The Celtic health insurance company has, with time, come to know of the demands of people and the safety zones more prominently and accordingly formed the schemes. You can now apply for the insurance covers under it through online channels as well.

Plans under the Celtic health insurance

Today the focus of the Celtic health insurance has become more concentrated towards individual plans so that all citizens of the US can remain hale and hearty. Celtic has been rated A by A.M for twenty years at a stretch. Celtic health insurance is known for the financial stability and strength in health insurance sector. Their specialty is low cost individual health insurance for superior service for their customers. Plans include comprehensive plans for children, adults, and families. Three Celtic plans you can choose from are Celtic Care Preferred Select PPO, Celtic Care Preferred “Any Doc” PPO and the Celtic Care Preferred Managed Indemnity.

Further details about the Celtic health insurance plans

Celtic basic health plan is meant for basic health coverage. It offers high deductible options with no hassle PPO with 80/20 coinsurance and a prescription drug option. You can always opt for it if self employed young singles, and anyone who requires economical health coverage. Celtic Care Preferred Health Plan is a plan for children, adults and families. It provides additional options that include supplemental accident option and a prescription drug option. The HSA qualified health plans as Celtic saver HSA is meant for individual and families both.

Online application

You can apply online for any of the Celtic health insurance plans. The rates of premiums remain the same, just in case you wish to buy the plan through local agents as well. You can gather complete information about what kinds of schemes Celtic provide through its website or else tied up websites also. The net is flooded with such tie up websites where you can get relevant information and also buy one or more of the insurance plans of Celtic at mere click of a button. So, what are you waiting for? Get associated with Celtic health insurance plans today and give best protection to your family

source

http://www.212articles.com/articles/69230/1/Celtic-Health-Insurance–Let-Your-Life-Be-In-Safe-Hands/Page1.html

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Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Ltd offers many type of insurance plans for people. Kotak Mahindra believes in offering its customers a lifetime of value. Kotak Life Insurance has a commitment to improve the quality of life of its customers and employees. Here is provided full list of Kodak Life Insurance Plans.

About Kotak Insurance:

The Kotak Life Insurance Ltd is one of India’s leading banking and financial services organizations with offerings across personal financial services, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking and markets, stock broking, asset management and life insurance. Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance is a 76:24 joint venture between Kotak Mahindra Group and Old Mutual plc. Kotak Mahindra Life insurance is one of the fastest growing insurance companies in India. Kotak Life Insurance employs around 5,565 people in its various businesses and has 197 branches across 141 cities.

Kotak Life Insurance Plans:

Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance’s main aim is to help customers take important financial decisions at every stage in life. They are offering to the customers a wide range of original life insurance product plans. They believe in offering life time value for customers. Kotak Life Insurance Plans are also available on the official site at kotaklifeinsurance.com. Below are given links to Kotak Life Insurance plans,

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Introduction :-
Jeevan Kishore is a deferred endowment plan for children.

Child plans, the parent is usually the policyholder; in the case of this particular plan, the life insured is that of the child and the parent or the guardian is the proposer.Plan features: A child between the ages of one and 12 is entitled to take up this plan. Risk cover, however, commences either after the completion of two policy years or when the child completes seven, whichever is later.Thus, if one chooses to go in for this plan when the child is four, risk cover would commence only three years later, when the child completes seven.This criterion would be applicable when the plan is taken for children between the ages of one and 10.If the child is 11 at the time of taking the plan, risk cover would commence on the completion of the first policy anniversary.
High bonus from day one child becomes owner of the policy automatically at the age of 18 yrs child's age should be between 0 & 12 yrs risk commences after 2 years of age policy or on completion of 7 years of age, whichever is later. No medical examination of the child if age less then 10 yrs. Else medical examination is necessary. Premium waiver benefit is available on payment of extra premium along with standard age proof and medical examination up up to 50 yrs of proposer's age. Parents of children who want provide a lump sum amount at a particular age of the child can also propose. If both parents are not alive, legal guardian can propose. Grand parents can also propose provide premium are paid by grand parents from their own income and consent letter is given from parents. This amount can be used for any particular need of the child like marrige or start in life.
Features :-
Children between ages 1 and 12 years are eligible.

Parents can propose the child’s life.

Sum assured is payable either on survival to the term or on death happening within the term

Premiums are payable yearly, half-yearly, quarterly or monthly throughout the term of the policy or till earlier death of child.

Jeevan Kishore Plan Benefit
Death Benefi :-
The Sum Assured along with vested bonuses, if any, is payable in a lump sum upon the death of the life assured after the commencement of the risk. If death occurs before the commencement of the risk, the premiums paid excluding the premiums for the Premium Waiver Benefit, if any, will be refunded.

Maturity Benefit :-
Sum assured along with all bonuses declared during the policy term is payable in a lump sum on survival to the end of the policy term.

Premium Waiver Benefit :-
This is an optional benefit that can be added to your basic plan. An additional premium is required to be paid for this benefit. By payment of this additional premium, the proposer can secure the benefit of cessation of premiums from his/her death to the end of the deferment period. The deferment period for this purpose is to be taken as 18 minus age at entry of child.

Surrender Value :-
Buying a life insurance contract is a long-term commitment. However, surrender values are available on the policy on earlier termination of the contract.

Guaranteed Surrender Value :-
The policy may be surrendered after it has been in force for 3 years or more. The guaranteed surrender value, if policy is surrendered before the date of commencement of risk is 90 % of premiums paid excluding premium for the first year. If policy is surrendered after the date of commencement of risk, the guaranteed surrender value is 30 % of premiums paid after commencement of risk together with 90 % of premiums paid before the commencement of risk. Premiums for the first year and the premiums for Premium Waiver Benefit, if any, will be excluded.

Corporations policy on surrenders :-
In practice, the Corporation will pay a Special Surrender Value – which is either equal to or more than the Guaranteed Surrender Value. The benefit payable on surrender is the discounted value of the reduced claim amount that would be payable on death or at maturity. This value will depend on the number of premiums paid and the duration at which surrender value is calculated. In some circumstances, in case of early termination of the policy, the surrender value payable may be less than the total premium paid.


Other features :-
The child becomes the policy owner on completion of the age of 18.The child is also eligible to an accident benefit commencing from the policy anniversary following the completion of the age 18; the premium outgo to avail of this benefit

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Introduction :-
Jeevan Anurag Plan is a with profits plan specifically designed to take care of the educational needs of children. The plan can be taken by a parent on his or her own life. Benefits under the plan are payable at prespecified durations irrespective of whether the Life Assured survives to the end of the policy term or dies during the term of the policy. In addition, this plan also provides for an immediate payment of Basic Sum Assured amount on death of the Life Assured during the term of the policy.
Jeevan Anurag is a with profit plan specifically designed to take care of the educational needs of children. The plan can be taken by a parent on his or her own life benefits under the plan are payable at pre-specified duration irrespective on whether the life assured survives to the end of the policy tremor dies during the term of the policy. In addition, this plan also provides for an immediate payment of basic S.A amount on the life assured during the term of the policy.
Plan parameters :-
Age at entry: Min.20 yrs Max.60yrs (NBD)

Maturity age: Max.70 yrs.

Term: Min.5 yrs for S.P & 10 yrs for regular Max. 25 yrs

Sum assured: Min.50,000 Max. No Limit

S.A in multiples: 5000

Premium paying: policy term or

Term : policy term-3

Mode of payment: YLY/ HLY/QLY/SSS/MLY and single premium

Accident benefit: Allowed

Policy loan: yes @ 10.5%

Housing loan: yes

Assignment: yes

Revival: yea

Surrender of policy: yes

Term rider: yes

CIR: yes


Jeevan Anurag Plan benefits :-
Insurancejaipur Jeevan Anurag Plan is a with profits plan specifically designed to take care of the educational needs of children. The plan can be taken by a parent on his or her own life. Benefits under the plan are payable at prespecified durations irrespective of whether the Life Assured survives to the end of the policy term or dies during the term of the policy. In addition, this plan also provides for an immediate payment of Basic Sum Assured amount on death of the Life Assured during the term of the policy. Assured Benefit Payment of 20% of the Basic Sum Assured at the start of every year during last 3 policy years before maturity. At maturity, 40% of the Basic Sum Assured along with reversionary bonuses declared from time to time on full Sum Assured for the full term and the Terminal bonus, if any shall be payable. For example, if term of the policy is 20 years, 20% of the Sum assured will be payable at the end of the 17th, 18th, 19th year and 40% of the Sum Assured along with the reversionary bonuses and the terminal bonus, if any, at the end of the 20th year.

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whole life, an endowment life insurance policy is designed primarily to provide a living benefit. Thus, it is more of an investment than a whole life policy. Endowment life insurance pays the face value of the policy either at the time of death of the policyholder or at the time of maturity of the policy. The policy is a method of accumulating capital for a specific purpose and protecting this savings program against the saver's premature death. Many investors use endowment life insurance to fund anticipated financial needs, such as college education or retirement. Premium for an endowment life policy is much higher than that of a whole life policy.
Endowment policy covers risk for a specified period, at the end of which the sum assured is paid back to the policyholder, along with the bonus accumulated during the term of the policy. An endowment life insurance policy is designed primarily to provide a living benefit and only secondarily to provide life insurance protection. Therefore, it is more of an investment than a whole life policy.Endowment life insurance pays the face value of the policy either at the insured's death or at a certain age or after a number of years of premium payment. Endowment policy is an instrument of accumulating capital for a specific purpose and protecting this savings program against the saver's premature death.Premium on endowment policies is payable for the full term of the endowment policy unless, the insurer dies earlier. When compared to whole life policies, the premium rates for endowment policies are higher and the bonus rates lower. But one of the major attractions of endowment policies is that they provide a return on premium payments, when the policy comes to an end. The endowment received at the maturity of the policy can be used for buying an annuity policy to generate a monthly pension for the whole life.
Features :-
Moderate Premiums

High bonus

High liquidity

Savings oriented.


Endowment insurance are policies that cover the risk for a specified period and at the end the sum assured is paid back to the policyholder along with all the bonus accumulated during the term of the policy. The Endowment insurance policies work in two ways, one they provide life insurance cover and on the other hand as a vehicle for saving. They are more expensive than Term policies and Whole life policies. Normally the bonus in calculated on the sum insured but the only draw back is that the bonuses are not compounded. Endowment insurance plans are best for people who do not have a saving and an investing habit on a regular basis. Endowment Insurance Plans can be bought for a shorter duration period.
Endowment Plan Benefits
Survival Benefits :-

Payment of full Sum Assured plus bonus plus final additional bonus.
Death Benefits :-

Payment of full Sum Assured plus accrued bonus.
Suitable for :-

Being an endowment assurance policy, this plan is apt for people of all ages and social groups who wish to protect their families from a financial setback that may occur owing to their demise. The amount assured if not paid by reason of his death earlier will payable at the end of the endowment term where it can be invested in an annuity provision for the rest of the policyholder's life or in any other way he may think most suitable at that time.

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Now we see it, now we don't - why are American's preaching about Health Care when it is not their ballgame to craft since government took away their ability to create it special for their family and themselves, sort of a vanishing act?

Layman opportunity to share would mean some Socialized Medicine Craft is attempting to cross the ocean and insure each man, woman, and child their security if the are harmed in any way. Did Columbus or Spain or England start a offer that would have guaranteed that if you become sick you will have a doctor take care of your illness? Perhaps so and that is how it all started then and the news of it probably appeared on posters attached to walls and poles on the street so someone knows whom to contact to purchase the plan or a booth would be setup that detains entry onto one of the ships to sail away, sail away.

One of those 'ISM' that Al Gore is particular about (Nobel Prize Speech) but could be a cause of embezzling tactical foreign command which would turn toward what is called 'extortion.ism' of taxpayer money.

It works like this, Charity Workers & American's Working Abroad would be licensed to be in a country if they have paid for the Government Insurance, if not they have to pay a Tax and another Tax for having to be placed into jail or prison whichever is available and not over crowded and that could cause their Visa to expire and if that happens the State Dept must craft a Amnesty and pay the overhead for their release or they would forever and ever be in that country and no one know where they are.

There's got to be a easier way to do this Insurance thing without leaving the door wide open for extremist foreign leaders to take a unfair advantage of Taxpayers Money. I propose that we lower the standards of Insurance Companies, so that we give the hospitals and doctors priority instead. In doing this another nation cannot climb on the backs of Taxpayers and force them into their jails and prisons and steal taxpayer money cause I know they do not intend to mandate changes of their hospitals and medical staff but America does educate doctors longer to know that Insurance Companies are really Land Brokerages with a flair for spying on doctors and hospitals.

Another service is prescription drugs, insurers do not need to become involved cause they are a third party to that as well and really hospitals and doctors should be given priority then their prescriptions might appear at pharmacies and druggist locations to fill prescriptions so that what they order then becomes a priority for Medicare & Medicaid to see to it those drugs are price protected to provide the lowest cost possible, nothing on the score of stragglers whom can't meet deadlines cause that is what it is about - service demands staying on schedule. I see that a schedule for H1N1 is profiled but keeping that a certainty is about impossibilities, it remains to be seen that pharmaceutical makers must expand their manufacturing base and produce more jobs else the situation can only escalate. So its the first time in history H1N1 moved on the world, there will be other situations that could be worse so we need to have better planning in the future if not sooner than later.

Is there a liking to the profit share opportunity as was seen in 'The Cash For Clunkers Program', many auto dealers had to wait for a very long time and some did not get a full accounting for sales because the deadline expired before government processed the forms. It was all about profiting and government couldn't possibly have profited had cash buyers appeared at the dealerships with auto insurance that can be transferred from a vehicle they drove there in. The 'Cash For Clunkers Program' was designed to relieve pressures automakers were sustaining at great loses from their failed business considerations forcing many to declare bankruptcy. Because the first $1 billion ran out in about a week of the $2 billion to extend the program until Labor Day started a car shortage, what shortage in Health Care Insurance is caused by the lack of a compelling support feature that all Americans qualify for, SSA makes Health Care a thing of the past since many can't qualify for Medicare and some states are not electing to make Medicaid available to choose but if there is not a Medicare the people must then rely on a Federal Agency to gain support for Health Care Insurance but this is what is causing the overhead to consumer the Medicare fund and it must be abolished or the end of Medicare and Social Security is near which then topples the Health Care Insurance Program automatically producing no qualified recipients.

Medical Equipment is a necessity, almost like having to have a oven to cook in a refrigerator to hold food and a sink to wash dishes according to charitable Food Stamp suppliers. If for some reason a individual becomes dehydrated those things would become a waste due to that individual passing out and not being able to wake up, roaches, ants, maybe even birds or rats would quickly surround the individual and death become evident. It should not be that way but it is just like that in many cities where dehydration could be something else as well like no heating in the home (cause the bill is overdue and not paid) then the individual freezes to death. Would a state program be liable for the deaths, what if the deaths were caused from lack of H1N1 shots? How is Work Credits going to change any of that?

Was Insurance actually going to help those people after death? Medical Equipment is not different from automobiles their makers claim bankruptcy also. Government is not looking out for the small businesses that serve the patients needs of all that Medical Equipment, the Government would rather give into a new idea because Medicare did nothing to keep the makers prices low and Insurance Companies other than Medicare or Medicaid never felt ashamed for paying higher prices if government were to always return some of their investment that was their guarantee and it was your added cost factor to pay the remaining percentage having nothing to do with Work Credits.

In a Health Care Insurance we should require that certain people be looked after like checking for a daily newspaper that is delivered so those things do not happen and that is my idea of what a Insurance Company should be responsible for. Like it is now, a Insurance Company is nothing more than a daily balance sheet on a computer that has no connectivity for workers in the field.

Now for state services why separate Departments so that they could eliminate the Insurance Sales Team within those building entirely, since people see people, know people that are sick, and take people that are sick to hospitals, or call 911 for them, its nothing to call a insurer it just never happens so why put a bundle into a Insurance Trust that will not be needed except for buying the newest computing system and paying for the best of the best business security system, it is wasteful spending and you tell Obama I told you he has little respect for the American people to adjust himself to the needs they have to design a Insurance that is lowest in cost and objectivity, to drive for the best solution for hospitals and doctors because a insurance business never ever needs a doctor and seldom anyone goes from there to a hospital.

People use Insurance to borrow money from their policy, its how people have managed their lives for years and years, if you change anything show these people that there is a better way to get money besides going to a Insurance Company to get money, show them that Uncle Sam can produce money for them in a emergency. All I see right now is that Uncle Sam can slam the governmental doors shut preventing people from getting anything cause uncle Sam tells me that there is getting less and less for them to get from the government till one day the government will have a sub category instead of being respectable.

Now if he responds back telling you he has better things to do, suggest him to cram his head into a hole in one at the golf course so Congress can walk past and club him on his rear end one at a time then all the people can at not cost to them and that guarantees that the deficit will not increase at all as Nancy Pelosi has planned the future for investment opportunity.

If Congress gives the right for Insurance Companies to sell their policies across state lines it does nothing but substantiate their long term attempt to do that when it is not them that should be having a concern across state lines but the hospital and doctors need to have a network that will serve to alert the system when availability is possible if not then across state lines individuals should be taken esp. in emergencies.

It does not require a Insurance Company to do this, they are likened to a farmers almanac, history and statistics are their game and your their pawn they watch to formulate these stats and why, so they know your trends and how much they should charge for a policy. State Farm has encouraged borrowing so much that State Farm has joined the trend for Mutual Funds, and has a bank with its own VISA Credit Card covers for "Medicare Supplement Insurance" and "Medicare Part D Coverage", plus has joined with Humana in an alliance relationship to market Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans.

When do you see the policy anyway (when you purchase the plan), when your in the hospital or in a doctor office or in a administrators office in the hospital. None of those locations do you ever see a Insurance Policy and once your dead only your relatives or next of kin might find it and see it but what is that which is not known is what happens to the bills with a Insurance Policy.

It is like a lawsuit that would and will happen if the standard is not taken care of and never is that a matter of fact and its simply a planned executable administrators paperwork for that job category servitude. Without the paperwork what is there to that job category, zilch in fact a nothing lost off their energy resource.

Further awareness shows that Insurance Companies are taking your cash from their fees, bankrolling it and then accessing their Trust to Loan to other Insured Members and your paying in decreased fees if you add more Insurance or increase your coverage plan and the other Member is paying more Interest to borrow the money from their Policies, its really that simple.

All Government Intervention is actually doing is giving Insurance Companies a future incentive that would someday allow them to obtain a bailout and that would cross state lines like bank takeovers so the Insured would have to have that aspect built into the proposal, if many people stood up and retaliated they could bring down the cost of Insurance. Note to that Government gave to the automakers a chance to get out of bankruptcy, Chrysler did not succeed and ended up selling out but Chevrolet is still trying to pay government back.

Insurers eat and cloth themselves like all other people some are more sloppy then others but this seems their trait rather than their course since they are well in wealth they just do not think about themselves as some others try to present themselves.

If Insurance Companies had the right to cross state lines to sell Insurance that is all they would do, someday a agent would appear to move in and setup a office and the purchasers policy then would be manageable locally, it becomes a 50/50 proposition. Competition is a force that drives spirited people to do better jobs, it does nothing for Insurance Agents that have to pass tests to cover incidents thoroughly.

If however you look at it from the standpoint a hospital and another group of hospitals that are available to take patients then your in another situation and its not Insurance it is Health Care, doctors live locally in the Health Care but are either tied to their own private practice offices or have a team that goes with them to the hospital when they schedule appointments for patients that require use of the hospital and the emergency room. Its a automatic situation for hospitals and doctors.

There is no interaction of Insurance Companies, they are not standing over your body while it is being operated on, they are not watching after you while you are trying to learn to move your arm, your leg, learning to eat food, or trying to get the nurse to come into the room and disconnect you from the one pain IV and the O2 monitor so you can return home. There is no Insurance man nor woman ever around when your taking your last breath on that operating table so what is the excuse that everyone needs to have a Insurance.

Paperwork, sounds like every teenager needs to learn how to write on the dotted line, why are we paying $50 a hour for a Registered Nurse to write on dotted lines the same thing over and over asking you your name twenty times every five days and looking at your name tag to see if you got it right. Learn how to enter words from a keyboard that is more technical, it uses the brain a bit more so your more likely to get off that IV pain button job they gave you to be in the hospital bed following your operation and to learn to talk, walk, and to return home, be yourself again. A Insurance Policy is not going to change you one way or the other. I believe in fairness how about you believe in yourself.

House Bill the previous one sent to the US Senate or the new GOP Health Care Bill that House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) challenged Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to allow a debate and vote on the Republican plan to make Health Care more affordable and accessible at a price our nation can afford. Boehner outlined the GOP's smart, fiscally responsible reforms in the weekly Republican address after Speaker Pelosi unveiled a 1,990-page government takeover of Health Care (PDF) that raises taxes, destroys jobs, and cuts Medicare benefits for seniors. On the economy, Boehner noted that the trillion-dollar 'stimulus' isn't working and asked, 'where are the jobs?' The Political Switch in Obamacare for instance went so far as attempting to make a Political Trigger that would be voted on if their plan started failing which was aimed at Insurers purposefully and then at the Public Welfare to kick in Government Control.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/jonalist/2009/11/american-health-care-insurance.php

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Permanent life insurance offers the greatest variety of policies, some of which operate more like an investment fund than an insurance policy. There are four major sub-categories of permanent life insurance; endowment, whole life, universal life, and limited pay life insurance.

Endowment life insurance policies have a built-in cash value that equals the death benefit once the insured reaches a certain age. For example, if the cash value of the policy is $50,000, then that is how much the death benefit would be.

Whole life insurance is the most popular of the permanent life policies. With a whole life policy you pay a level premium with a cash value table built into the policy. Some of the advantages of whole life are guaranteed death benefits and a guaranteed death benefit. Some disadvantages include inflexibility and the low return on investment.

Universal life insurance is a relatively new type of insurance. It provides permanent insurance coverage with greater flexibility. There are several different types of universal life insurance policies including traditional fixed universal life insurance, equity indexed universal life insurance, and variable universal life insurance.

Limited life insurance policies work sort of like term insurance except when the term is up the life insurance is still active. You pay a premium for a limited number of years but the policy is active until death.

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YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE

In 2009 the premium for Medicare Part B did not go up. I am sorry to tell you that for 2010, the premium is going up, even though your social security checks will not see an increase. Premium is based on income and if you are single and your income is $85,000 or less your premium will be $110.50 per month (instead of the $96.40 you paid in 2009).

For beneficiaries filing a joint tax return, if your income is less than or equal to $170,000, you will each pay $110.50 monthly. There is a sliding scale based on income; the higher your income, the higher your premium. If you file an individual tax return and your income is greater than $85,000 and less than or equal to $107,000, the new premium will be $154.70. This premium also applies to beneficiaries who file a joint return with income greater than $170,000 and less than or equal to $214,000. For additional premium information for higher incomes you are welcome to call our office. Some of you have already received the 2010 MEDICARE AND YOU handbook. If so, you will find the premium chart in this booklet.
The Medicare Part A (hospital bill) deductible will be going up from $1,068 to $1,100. This is not per calendar year. If you are out of the hospital for 60 or more days, and then are readmitted, you get charged with the deductible again. If you are readmitted within 60 days, you do not get charged for the deductible again.

The Part B deductible (medical expenses) is going up from $135 to $155 per calendar year.

If you have traditional Medicare and are not eligible for group health insurance from a former employer, chances are that you have a Medicare supplement policy, also known as a Medigap policy. Some of you have been calling us already because you have heard that Plan J, the richest Medigap policy on the market, will be discontinued. That is true. This favorite Medigap policy will no longer be offered after June 1, 2010. However, if you have the policy you can continue to keep it, so long as you pay the premium. Eventually, this policy may be too expensive to continue because as people opt for a less expensive Medigap policy and as Plan J recipients drop out or die, there will be fewer and fewer (and older and older) people with Plan J. This will, of course, drive up the premium.

Not only will Plan J be taken off the market but also Plans E, H, and I. This isn't too disconcerting. Plan C is the minimum coverage we would recommend to anyone and Plan F is a very popular plan giving you 100 percent coverage after Medicare. These two plans will still be available. In addition, the government is adding plans M and N. I do not know if these two plans will be available in New Jersey, nor do I know the approximate cost, at this time. Plan M only pays half of the Part A deductible when you are admitted to a hospital. Plan N will have a co-payment of $20 for every office visit and up to a $50 co-payment for an emergency room visit. Plans K and L also offer limited benefits but have not been available for sale in NJ. While the federal government designs the Medigap policies, it is up to the State Insurance Commissioner to determine which of the plans will be sold in his/her state. In NJ, we have had Plans A through J available for sale.

The changes in Medigap plans listed above do not become effective until June 1, 2010 so you can purchase Plan J until that date, if you wish. As more information becomes available, we will share it with you in this column.

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It is no secret that many Americans are bad at saving.But let's face it, recession or not, saving for retirement is a must. And it is not easy.

In fact, researchers for The 2009 Retirement Confidence Survey found the current economy has pushed confidence to a new low. The survey noted that workers confident of having enough money for retirement rest at 13 percent -- a record low since the Retirement Confidence Survey started inquiring of such in 1993.

Similarly, it found only 20 percent of retirees are confident about having a "financially secure retirement." It went down from 41 percent in 2007.

Therefore, a successful retirement plan either means you face choices -- to work longer, spend less, save more -- or a combination of these.

People planning to retire in the next seven years were taught the key elements for putting together a proper retirement plan during the Bank of Hawaii's "Saving for Retirement" seminar on Oct. 21.

Additionally, those with more than seven years ahead of them were told what factors to consider when creating such a plan. The seminar was held at the bank's Hagåtña branch.

"To get from one side of the United States you have to draw a map. Saving is like that," said Nacia Atalig, vice president and business banking manager at the bank, who presented on the issue. "The first step on your road map is to start now. Don't put off your planning and investing for your retirement."

Atalig said that before you can start creating a plan for retirement, you must ask yourself three basic questions. Those questions are:

1. What kind of retirement do you want?

# Here you must also factor in your spouse's plans and any financial provisions you must make for your children or grandchildren.

2. When do you want to retire?

# Atalig said the earlier you retire, you will have a shorter time frame to gather all the money you will need to last throughout retirement.

# Remember also that Social Security is not available until you are 62 years old.

# Medicare eligibility won't happen until you are 65 years.

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IN THIS POLICY, THE INVESTMENT RISK IN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO IS BORNE BY THE POLICY HOLDER

This is a unit linked pension plan wherein the pension is payable after a specified period. Four types of investment Funds namely Bond, Secured, Balanced and Growth Fund are offered. Though primarily a Pension product, the plan has many attractive features and options which make it an ideal Retirement solution for the future.

BENEFITS

A)- On Vesting:
On vesting of the policy, the Fund Value will be utilized to provide a pension based on the then prevailing Annuity rates. An option to commute upto one third of the payable benefit in a lump sum is available.

B) On Death:
In event of the unfortunate death of the policy holder the Fund Value along with the Riders, if any, will be payable in a lump sum or as a pension.

OPTIONS
Three attractive benefits, viz. - Life Cover, Accident Benefit and Critical Illness Benefit are available as options or riders. Life option is available within certain limits depending on the age at entry of the life assured. The other options are available to all proposers who have opted for Life Cover. The quantum of the risk covers can also be reduced; subject to the minimum limits, once a year. A policy can be taken without any of the riders also.

REVIVAL
An attractive feature of the plan is that provided the premiums have been paid for a minimum period of three years, all the riders under the policy will continue for a period of two years from the due date of first unpaid premium by deduction of relevant charges from the policy fund. This period of two years is called the “Revival Period”. Further, if premiums have been paid for a minimum period of three years, revival can be effected merely by paying the arrears of premium, within the Revival Period.
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS
Premiums can be paid in a lump sum (single premium) and also by monthly(ECS), quarterly, half-yearly and yearly modes.

CHANGE IN FUND TYPE (SWITCH)
The plan also allows a policy holder to switch from one type of fund to another upto four times a year, free of charge.

OTHER FEAUTRES
There will be no spread between the Bid and Offer price. The Net Asset Value (NAV) will be declared on a daily basis. Additional premium in multiples of Rs.1,000 can be paid without any limit at anytime during the term of policy



a) Benefits payable on death before vesting
In case of death of the policyholder within the deferment term where Life cover is opted for and is in force, the nominee shall be eligible to get the Sum Assured under the Basic Plan together with the Policyholder’s Fund value as at the date of booking the liability. The liability shall be booked after receipt of intimation along with death certificate. The benefit may be got in a lump sum or in the form of pension or a combination of lump sum and pension as desired by the nominee. The pension will be based on the then prevailing immediate annuity rates under the relevant annuity option.In case the policy is taken without life cover, then the Policyholder’s Fund value as at the date of booking the liability, as mentioned above, shall be payable to the nominee. Again, the nominee can choose either a lump sum or pension or a combination of lump sum and pension, which will be based on the then prevailing immediate annuity rates under the
relevant annuity option. If the policy is in lapsed condition, then only the Value of the units held in the
Policyholder’s Fund shall become payable to the nominee. This benefit may be chosen either in lump sum or in the form of pension as desired by the nominee. The pension will be based on the then prevailing immediate annuity rates under the relevant annuity option.
b) Benefit on vesting
On the policyholder surviving up to the date of vesting, the Policyholder’s Fund value will compulsorily be utilised to provide an annuity based on the then prevailing immediate annuity rates under the relevant annuity option. The policyholder will have to intimate his/ her choice of annuity option to the Corporation 6 months prior to the date of vesting under the policy. There is also an option to commute up to one-third of the Fund Value of the units held in the Policyholder’s Fund value at the time of vesting of the annuity, which shall be paid in lump sum. In case commutation is opted for, the amount of annuity/pension available will be reduced proportionately. There will also be an option to purchase pension from any other life insurance company registered with IRDA subject to Regulatory provisions. If the policyholder opts to purchase pension from other insurance company, he/she will have to inform LIC six months prior to the vesting date.
In such cases, LIC will transfer the Policyholder’s Fund value directly to the chosen Company. Notwithstanding the above mentioned, in case the amount at the vesting date is insufficient to purchase the minimum amount of pension allowed by LIC, then the balance in the Policyholder’s Fund value at the vesting date shall be refunded to the Policyholder.
c) Options:
i. Life Cover
The policy can be issued either with or without life insurance cover. If life insurance cover is opted for by the policyholder, he/ she can choose Sum Assured within the following limits, subject to a minimum of Rs. 25,000. For Single premium policies: up to and equal to the Single Premium For Regular premium policies:

If Critical Illness Benefit Rider is opted for:
10 times of the annualized premium if age at entry is upto 40 years.
5 times of the annualized premium if age at entry is 41 years and above.

If Critical Illness Benefit Rider is not opted for:
20 times of the annualized premium if age at entry is upto 40 years.
10 times of the annualized premium if age at entry is 41 years and above.

Where the minimum Sum Assured under the basic plan is not in the multiples of Rs. 5,000,
it will be rounded off to the next multiple of Rs. 5,000.
ii. Accident Benefit Rider Option:
Accident Benefit (AB) can be availed of as an optional Rider benefit by paying an additional premium of Rs.0.50 for every Rs.1,000/- of the Accident Benefit Sum Assured per policy year by cancellation of appropriate number of units out of the Policyholder’s Fund value every month. On Accidental death of the Policyholder during the term of the policy, a sum equal to the Accident Benefit Sum Assured will become payable, provided the Accident benefit cover is opted for and is in force. Further, it will be available up to the
life cover Sum Assured opted for, subject to an overall limit of Rs.50 lakh taking all existing policies of the Life Assured under individual as well as group schemes including policies with in-built accident benefit taken from Life Insurance Corporation of India and other insurance companies and the Accident Benefit Rider Sum Assured under the new proposal into consideration. The Accident Benefit rider option will not be available in case life cover sum assured is zero. This benefit will be available only till the policy anniversary on which the age nearer birthday of the Policyholder is 70 years. No charges for this benefit shall be deducted from the Policy anniversary at which the benefit ceases.
iii. Critical Illness Rider Option :
Critical Illness Rider Benefit can be opted for only if Life cover has been opted. An amount equal to the Critical Illness Rider Sum Assured will be payable in case of diagnosis of defined categories of Critical Illness subject to certain terms and conditions, provided the Critical Illness Benefit cover is opted for and is in force. The maximum limit for this rider will be Rs.10 lakh under all policies of the Life Assured with the Corporation taken together. The Critical Illness Rider Sum Assured shall be available only if the sum assured under the life over is equal to or greater than Rs.50,000. The Critical Illness Sum Assured
shall not exceed the Sum Assured under the Basic Plan. This benefit will be available only till the policy anniversary on which the age nearer birthday of the Policyholder is 60 years or for a maximum term of 35 years whichever is less. No charges for this benefit shall be deducted from the Policy anniversary at which the benefit ceases. Further, this benefit will be available only once during the term of the policy (i.e. till a
critical illness claim, as per the conditions defined, arises under the policy). Once a claim under this Rider has been admitted, no subsequent charge towards Critical Illness Benefit Rider shall be deducted. Charges towards Life cover and Accident Benefit cover, if any, shall however continue to be deducted on a monthly basis, as usual. Critical Illness Benefit rider can be opted for at the inception of the policy only and shall
not be allowed thereafter.
d) Annuity Options
The rate at which the claim amount will be converted into an annuity is not guaranteed and will be at the rate prevalent at that time. Further a number of annuity options will be available and the rate for different options may differ.

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For all the controversy over a government-run insurance option, the program outlined in health overhaul legislation likely would play a minuscule role in efforts to expand health care coverage, according to many health care experts and lawmakers.

Of the 30 million Americans likely to purchase insurance through exchanges created by the legislation, only six million -- or one fifth -- would enroll in a public insurance plan, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis of the House bill. Viewing it another way, the six million using the public option would amount to only two percent of the 282 million Americans under the age of 65 who are projected to have health insurance by 2019, when the legislation is fully implemented.

And that number could shrink because states may decide to opt out of a public insurance plan, an escape clause that's likely to be included in the Senate plan.

“The politics of this issue is totally disproportionate to its likely impact one way or another,” said Bruce Vladeck, a former administrator of the federal agency now called the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said the Senate overhaul bill would allow states to opt out of the public plan – a step political experts say at least some would likely take. Congressional Republicans are united in opposition to a government-backed insurance plan, and political leaders in heavily GOP states may also be opposed. Insurers, which fiercely oppose a public plan, would also be expected to lobby against it.

No matter what the states do, the government-run plan is not likely to attract a large membership, at least according to the CBO. The CBO reasoned that the plan may not be able to offer a price advantage – in part because the House bill requires a government-backed insurer to negotiate payment rates rather than dictate them to hospitals and doctors.

If the number of people in the public plan turns out to be six million in 2019, that would work out to an average of 120,000 per state. But that number probably would be smaller in the smallest states, perhaps totaling just tens of thousands.

No Details Yet

Reid would allow states to opt out of the program by 2014, one year after the public plan would take effect. He hasn't provided details on how such an opt out would work, or how the governors and the state legislatures might decide. Some advocates of the public plan fear that the states could end up with too much power to withdraw from a public plan, leaving residents with fewer health insurance choices.

“A lot will depend on the specific rules, and there’s a risk that the legislation would make it so easy for states to waive participation in the plan that it defeats the whole purpose of having a national health insurance entity,” said Jacob Hacker, a Yale University professor of political science who favors the public insurance program and an opt-out approach.

Others say, however, that the opt-out clause will rightfully allow states to decide what's best for their residents.

Predicting the states' responses is tricky, even where Republicans and conservative Democrats predominate. Some say the consumer appeal of a public plan could trump criticism that government plans would eventually drive out competition and lead to the federalization of health care.

Congressional Democrats say a government plan would spark competition with private insurers in the exchanges, or marketplaces, where under the legislation millions of Americans who don't have employer-provided coverage would shop for policies. Advocates say that could especially help consumers in states, often smaller, more rural ones, where only one or two insurers dominate the market, and are typically lightly regulated.

Whether states would opt out of the public option would depend on several factors, including the political makeup of the state, the level of competition among insurers and whether insurance companies push state officials to keep out a government-backed plan.

“If insurance companies don’t want any public plans to compete with them, they will be pressing the governors and the legislatures to opt out,” said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the architects of the House Democratic bill. That legislation doesn't include an opt-out provision.

Useful or Heavy Handed?

In many states, the decision would hinge on whether people view the public option as a useful way to increase competition or heavy-handed government interference in the marketplace.

In Oklahoma, Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland said in an interview that, given the state's conservative political makeup, it's likely "that as long as there is a sense that citizens have options and affordable options ...[the legislature] won’t jump into participating in a public plan.”

But some congressional Republicans argued that it would be difficult for GOP-controlled states to reject a public option—thus barring their residents from a program that would be open to millions of Americans in other states.

"What you’d be saying to your people back home [is] `We’re going to take our state out of this but, by the way, you’re going to be paying increased taxes'" as part of a health overhaul, said Sen. Mike Johanns, a Nebraska Republican who was governor of the state from 1999 to 2005. "I think the people would look at that and think that’s the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard...It's a false option."

The opt-out provision touted by Reid is stirring debate in governors' races that will be decided Tuesday. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, who is running for reelection, said he would not opt out of a public option while his Republican challenger, Chris Chistie, said that he would. In the Virginia governor’s race, Republican Bob McDonnell said he would opt out; Democrat Creigh Deeds has not said for certain what he would do.

The opt-out provision, if enacted, could also figure in scores of state legislative and gubernatorial races next year.

The issue could be especially contentious in Alabama where, according to the Government Accountability Office, Blue Cross and Blue Shield controls 96 percent of policies sold in the small-group health insurance market. Consumer advocates say the public plan is needed in their state to spur competition.

Rep. Artur Davis, an Alabama Democrat who is running for governor, said that while he is not an advocate of a public plan, he'd want it to be an option for his state’s residents. “For me, the public option is not the focus of this debate,” he said in an interview. “Having said that . . . if the federal legislation passes, it’s your task as governor to enforce that legislation.”

A spokesman for incumbent Republican Gov. Bob Riley said it would be "premature" to speculate on whether Riley would favor opting out of a public plan.

Even with strong Democratic majorities in the Alabama legislature, there might be pressure to shun a government-run plan. "I think Alabama is one of those states where they believe in self-sufficiency, they believe in trying to have less government intervention in their day-to-day lives, and right now the public option as proposed is contrary to that,” said Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Ala.

New York Approves

New York lawmakers and health policy analysts predicted their state would embrace a public plan to increase the number of health insurance choices. "My guess is in New York the public option is very popular so it would probably stay in," said Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer.

Richard Gottfried, chairman of the New York State Assembly's Health Committee, agreed, but added that state officials might press for flexibility to make the public option work more smoothly with its Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid.

"It might make sense to combine the new public option with existing programs" to get more leverage in negotiating rates with doctors and hospitals, he said.

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2009/October/31/health-insurance-public-option-negligible.aspx

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