Both sides abandoned bi-partisanship concerning health care reform a long, long time ago. Now it’s official, as these things go.

With both chambers having passed a version of comprehensive health care reform the bills are headed for a House-Senate conference committee. Usually this committee, made up of both Democrats and Republicans, iron out differences between the two proposals and produces something both the House and Senate can be expected to pass.

There are a lot of formal, procedural issues involved in this process. Usually, for example, three formal votes need to be held in both the Senate and the House before the conference committee formally convenes. S

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PacificSource Health Plans has acquired Clear One Health Plans for $46 Million.  Under the merger agreement, Clear One will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Eugene Oregon based PacificSource.

The merger will allow PacificSource to increase its presence in Central Oregon and expand into the Medicare and Medicaid markets through Clear One Health Plans  operation while continuing to devote energy towards PacificSource’s commercial health insurance business.

The deal still requires approval by the Oregon Insurance Division, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Oregon Division of Medical Assistance Programs, as well as final shareholder approval.

Bend Oregon based Clear One provides health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, commercial plans, individual health insurance plans as well as administrative services to individuals and businesses throughout the West.

After the merger, PacificSource Health Plans is expected to cover about 228,000 members and PacificSource TPA about 80,000. Emp

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Houston, Texas elected a new mayor earlier this month named Annise Parker.  According to the article “Houston Is The Largest City to Elect Openly Gay Mayor” by James C. McKinley on NYTimes.com, voters gave a solid victory to this openly gay woman.

There are some smaller cities that have elected openly gay mayors, but this is the largest city in history to do so.  Her success came in a conservative state which makes the victory that much more historic.  Many Houston residents believe this is a huge step forward for the city as diversity is embraced.

Ms. Parker has a challenging job ahead as she faces many important issues such as Houston health insurance.  With

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The task of the House-Senate conference committee on health care reform will not be an easy one. Yes, the legislation passed by each chamber have many provisions in common. But where they tend to differ are on some of the thorniest, most controversial issues. Whether there will be a government-run health plan and how to pay for health care reform are but two of the items needing to be worked through. One issue on which finding common ground will be especially difficult concerns abortions.

Most of the media and blog coverage of the abortion issue (including my own) have focused on the political aspects: will the more restrictive House language survive the conference committee or will the slightly less restrictive Senate version be a part of the final health care reform bill?

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On AARP’s website they have what is called a “Doughnut Hole Calculator” which has been designed for the 2010 Plan to avoid falling into a gap for Medicare Part D coverage.  It’s a four step tool that is very useful for saving you money on your health insurance quotes.

The Doughnut Hole Calculator is easy to use.  First, gather your medications and drug plan cards and go onto AARP’s website.  Enter the name of each drug, dosage, and how often you take it.  Then you can view a chart to determine if you are going to hit the “doughnut hole” for Medicare Part D.  The calculator w

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