Broker Regulation

Calls for transparency in the health care system

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius criticized America's largest health insurance companies Thursday following the release of a report that points to rate hikes and inflated profits as cause for health insurance reform.

H.R. 4489, introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., would give the Office of Personnel Management greater oversight of pharmacy benefit managers participating in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

President Obama on Monday signed H.R. 3326, a measure that extends a federal COBRA subsidy program to help laid-off workers pay for continued health insurance coverage.

Legislation approved Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives would temporarily extend federal COBRA subsidies to help cover the cost of health coverage,

Although the $856 billion health care reform plan introduced Wednesday by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus will not require employers to provide health coverage benefits, the plan will reinforce competition within small group markets.