House & Senate Members Sworn in to Office

Today, all members of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives are being sworn in to office to start the new two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly.  In the near future the leadership in the Senate and House will be announcing their committees and the members of each committee.  While committee hearings are not scheduled until the first week of February, OAHU will be using the month of January to meet with those legislators appointed to the committees that focus on health and insurance issues. 

 

Big State Governors Ask for $1 Trillion Federal Bailout

Last week, Governor Strickland joined the governors of New Jersey, Wisconsin, New York and Massachusetts in a teleconference with reporters to outline their request for federal assistance to the states. Their $1 trillion request includes: $250 billion for pre-kindergarten through higher education spending; $350 billion to jumpstart infrastructure construction projects such as transportation, water, sewer, schools and technology; $250 billion for social services such as increased Medicaid match, more funding for unemployment compensation, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and child care; and $150 billion for “middle class tax cuts.”

ODI Announces Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

Last week the Ohio Department of Insurance through its Ohio Senior Health Insurance Program (OSHIP) issued a press release announcing Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment from January 1 through March 31, 2009. The news release cautioned consumers to be aware of predatory sales practices and to report any concerns regarding inappropriate or predatory sales practices by insurance agents and companies.

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