Between jobs? Waiting for employer benefits to kick in? Currently a temp or seasonal employee? Did you recently graduate from college and no longer under your parent’s health plan?
These are one of many reasons why you may need an Assurant Health short term medical insurance plan. Sudden illnesses and accidents can lead to large medical bills. Keep your financial future safe at a price you can afford with Short Term Medical temporary insurance. Coverage starts the day after you apply and you may keep your own doctors.

Primary elections were held in 11 states this week as lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C., to face a growing list of unfinished legislative business including a jobs bill and environmental issues stemming from the Gulf crisis. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama launched a public relations campaign to combat skepticism around his new health care reform legislation and to promote the early implementation of certain provisions of the law.

Congressional lawmakers address concerns about the new health care reform legislation, particularly among senior citizens , who make up a disproportionate share of voters in midterm elections. Democrats and the administration are eager to publicize certain provisions of the bill, like retaining young adults on their parents’ plans until age 26, as a way to gain support and to turn voters away from Republicans who called for its repeal.

On Tuesday, President Obama held a nationally televised town hall meeting at a senior center in Maryland to highlight the distribution of $250 rebate checks for senior citizens who hit the so-called “doughnut hole ” in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. The first round of checks was mailed yesterday and serves as the law’s first monetary benefit.

State Battle Against Health Care Reform Law Continues:

On Monday, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli disputed the administration’s claim that the state lacks standing to challenge the new federal health care reform law. The lawsuit filed by Cuccinelli in the Eastern District Court cites a Virginia law that exempts state residents from being required to have health care coverage. Sebelius argued that states cannot simply pass a statute that would nullify a federal law. A hearing to determine next steps is set for July 1.

Public Opinion

Americans Want Repeal of Health Care Reform: A recently released Rasmussen report suggests that Americans are strongly in favor of repealing President Obama’s health care reform law. Fifty-eight percent of those polled favor repeal, while 62 percent believe the new legislation will increase the budget deficit. In addition, 57 percent predict health care costs will increase, while 51 percent feel the quality of care will decrease as a result of the new health care reform law.

Looking Ahead

Democrat lawmakers are expecting to pass the jobs bill next week but will need Republican support in order to get the 60 votes needed for passage. One provision of the bill, a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors, is being delayed as the bill moves through Congress and would ultimately be blocked if the legislation passes.

As the health care reform debate continues to take shape this year, we encourage you and others to engage members of Congress by visiting the Health Action Network.

As lawmakers complete a week long recess in their home states, Obama administration officials move forward on implementing certain provisions of the health care reform legislation. Recent national polling shows a majority of Americans strongly favor repeal of the law.

As health care reform legislation continues to take shape this year, we encourage you and others to engage members of Congress by visiting the Health Action Network.

Young Adults Might Not Be Covered Ahead of Schedule:WellPoint’s affiliated health plans and other insurers began extending medical coverage for qualifying graduating students on June 1, well in advance of the September 23deadline. However, many employers plan to wait to provide the extended coverage until they are legally required to do so, with an effective date of January 2011 for most employers.

Senate Fails to Extend Bill for Doctors: Before leaving for the Memorial Day recess, House Democratic leaders scaled back health care language from the jobs bill before passing the bill. In the package, doctors who treat Medicare patients would see a 2.2% payment increase for the remainder of this year and a 1% payment increase in 2011. Extensions of COBRA subsidies and additional Medicaid funding for states were removed from the bill. Lawmakers in the Senate will vote on the bill when they return from recess next week.

Florida Judge Denies Government’s Motion: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked a federal judge in Florida for a one-month extension to respond to the joint lawsuit filed by 20 states’ attorneys general who challenged the constitutionality of the new health care reform law. U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson denied the administration’s request for an extension and instructed HHS officials to respond by the June 16 deadline. 

Public Opinion

Americans Want Repeal of Health Care Reform: A recently released Rasmussen report suggests that Americans are strongly in favor of repealing President Barack Obama’s health care reform law. Sixty percent of those polled favor repeal, while 62% believe the new legislation will increase the budget deficit. 

Majority of Americans Unhappy with Reform: According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, 51% of Americans are unhappy with the new health care reform legislation and 70% are “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with the way things are going for the nation. 

Looking Ahead

Lawmakers return to Washington on Monday ahead of a contentious primary runoff in Arkansas between Democrats Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, with health care reform at the center of the debate. The winner of Tuesday’s Democratic nomination will face Republican Rep. John Boozman in the November elections. 

It was announced earlier this week that our parent company is taking steps to prevent a gap in coverage that could leave many young Americans uninsured.

Each year in June, many young people – because of their age, student status or other factors – become ineligible as dependents on their parents’ insurance policies. Health care reform legislation, signed into law last month, will extend dependent coverage to age 26 for plan years beginning September 23, 2010. While this is great news, it also means that many members would face a coverage gap during the months before this provision is fully implemented.

To help these members, we’re working, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state regulators, to allow young men and women to remain on their parents’ group and individual health policies even before this health care reform provision takes effect. Beginning June 1, we will continue to provide health benefits to those dependents that would otherwise lose coverage because of their age, student status or other factors during the gap period between June 1, 2010, and the September 23, 2010, effective date. This extension of coverage will not be retroactive, however, for those who have dependents who aged out prior to June 1, 2010. Those individuals will be able to add their dependents back onto their policies with the new plan year beginning on or after September 23 in accordance with the new law.

Our ASO, and any fully or partially self-funded accounts over 100 lives, will have the option of not offering this extended coverage. We will work with these groups individually to ensure their needs and the needs of their employees continue to be met. We’re developing additional information that will help these groups opt out, if they choose to.

Some states already have provisions that allow for dependents up to the age of 26 to be included on their parents’ policy. However, in many states this new coverage will allow for many more dependents to remain on their parents’ policies, so we will provide additional details regarding how this decision coordinates with state mandates and dependent coverage in future communications.

As with every subsidiary of our parent company, it’s our priority to protect access to health benefits for our members. We believe this initiative will help do this, while giving our members the chance to get even more from health care reform. For details, please take a look at this Q&A and news release. You can also expect more information as it becomes available.

Selecting the best medical plan or health insurance is significant, not only to your physical health but also to your economic well-being. Walter Ray Holt Insurance Services provide a comprehensive assortment of health plan solutions to Fresno residents.

Types of California Health Insurance and healthcare plans we provide:

• Individual Health Plans
• Family Health Plans
• Group Health Plans for Small Business Owners (2-50 employees)

Contact us today to get detailed information pertaining to health coverage, dental coverage and life insurance options for your Small Business; Find out more about healthcare professionals, pharmacies and insurance agents in Fresno; and Apply Online for individual & family health plans.

• Self-employed or not covered under your employer’s plan?
• Not satisfied with your employer offered plans, or would like additional family coverage?
• Seeking additional protection from an unexpected accident or illness?
• Are not covered by any other health plans including Medicare?
• Are you no longer a dependent on your parent’s plan because of age or no longer in school?

These are a few reasons why you may consider purchasing individual health insurance.

If you are trying to find an individual health plan from Anthem look no further. Here are the most popular plans at an affordable price and providing great coverage.