The insurance industry is distributing campaign funds to Illinois lawmakers who will participate in setting up the state's health insurance exchange, according to a Chicago Tribune report.
Democrats Frank Mautino and William Haine and Republicans JoAnn Osmond and Bill Brady co-chair the study committee, which will make recommendations to the General Assembly on Sept. 30 regarding how the exchange should be funded and governed. The legislators have received a combined $70,800 in campaign funds from the insurance industry so far this year.
Three of the four co-chairs told the Tribune that the contributions would not affect their recommendations on the health insurance exchange. The fourth, Mr. Haine, did not return phone calls. However, the Campaign for Better Health Care says the campaign contributions may cause the committee to issue recommendations benefiting the insurance industry at the expense of consumers.
The exchange is scheduled to begin operation in 2014, as mandated by the federal healthcare reform act. Illinois' exchange is expected to help up to one million consumers afford health insurance through shopping in a marketplace of private health plans.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
Clear Payment Policies Can Help Physician Practices Accept More Patients
Surgery Center Coding Guidance Use of Modifiers PT and 33
Wall Street Journal: "There's a Code for That" Under ICD-10
Democrats Frank Mautino and William Haine and Republicans JoAnn Osmond and Bill Brady co-chair the study committee, which will make recommendations to the General Assembly on Sept. 30 regarding how the exchange should be funded and governed. The legislators have received a combined $70,800 in campaign funds from the insurance industry so far this year.
Three of the four co-chairs told the Tribune that the contributions would not affect their recommendations on the health insurance exchange. The fourth, Mr. Haine, did not return phone calls. However, the Campaign for Better Health Care says the campaign contributions may cause the committee to issue recommendations benefiting the insurance industry at the expense of consumers.
The exchange is scheduled to begin operation in 2014, as mandated by the federal healthcare reform act. Illinois' exchange is expected to help up to one million consumers afford health insurance through shopping in a marketplace of private health plans.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
Clear Payment Policies Can Help Physician Practices Accept More Patients
Surgery Center Coding Guidance Use of Modifiers PT and 33
Wall Street Journal: "There's a Code for That" Under ICD-10