An Academy letter to congressional leaders regarding legislation to repeal an antitrust exemption for medical professional liability insurers was discussed. Academy Medical Professional Liability Subcommittee Chairperson Kevin Bingham wrote that the legislation could limit or preclude the collection, aggregation and analysis of data across companies, which could ultimately limit competition and potentially increase premiums.

Academy Senior Pension Fellow Frank Todisco discussed how cashing out a 401(k) plan before retirement jeopardizes a worker's future financial security, particularly if that worker does not have a traditional defined benefit pension plan.

Academy Senior Pension Fellow Frank Todisco discussed increasing the retirement age as part of any reform package for Social Security.

An Academy letter to congressional leaders regarding negotiations to combine House and Senate health care reform legislation was quoted. The Academy said that financial penalties in both Senate and House bills are fairly weak compared to the coverage costs and that lower-risk individuals could be more likely to pay the penalty and forgo coverage, putting upward pressure on premiums.

The Academy's Jan. 14 letter to congressional leaders regarding merging House and Senate health care reform legislation was cited. The Academy expressed concerns regarding the ability of the individual health insurance coverage mandate to effectively limit adverse selection.

Academy Medical Professional Liability Subcommittee Chairperson Kevin Bingham discussed the potential consequences of legislation to repeal an antitrust exemption for medical professional liability insurers. Bingham said the repeal could preclude data collection and aggregation across companies, which could reduce competition and potentially increase premiums. Audio available. 

The Academy was cited from its Jan. 14 letter to congressional leaders regarding merging House and Senate health care reform legislation. The Academy said that as currently structure, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act is likely to suffer from severe adverse selection, which could lead to high premiums and threaten the viability of the program.

Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello explained the basics of determining health insurance premiums. She said it begins with ensuring that total premiums collected are adequate to cover claims and expenses. Audio also available.

The Academy's May 2009 monograph on consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) data was cited by Sen. John Cornyn during Senate session (minute 75). According to research studies reviewed by the Academy's CDHP Work Group, these plans can save as much as 12 to 20 percent in health care costs.

An Academy report reviewing consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) studies was cited by an on-air guest, who said the Academy found that CDHPs can save as much as 12 to 20 percent in health care costs in the first year.