|
Updated July 16, 2009 The House and Senate Health Committees have released their initial health care reform bill, and they are brutally disappointing, to say the least. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) indicated that these bills not only failed to reduce costs, but will actually increase the cost of healthcare! Furthermore, that does not even take into consideration the increased taxes most of us -as individuals and especially small businesses, will have to pay. As I have been saying for some time now, meaningful healthcare reform must bend the cost-curve. Where is the leadership in Washington to enact meaningful healthcare reform, that will reduce the crushing cost of healthcare?
Updated: July, 2009 Unfortunately, and predictably, Health Care Reform is all about politics now. To be blunt, the President and Congress are caving into special interests groups, left and right. Some type of reform will probably be passed, but I doubt it will be meaningful reform. Unfortunately, I do not see reform reducing the crushing cost of healthcare. To the contrary, reform will probably increase the cost of your healthcare, through higher taxes, and will only moderately slow the increases in cost.The two main issues remain the same- what taxes will be initiated to pay for reform, and will there be a public plan (a trojan horse for government run healthcare). Meaningful healthcare reform must bend the cost curve- 1. delivery of care must be based on quality of care, not quantity 2. incentives to providers and consumers for reduced care 3. reduce and better manage chronic diseases. If these three items can somehow be achieved, the costs of healthcare will be drastically reduced. Stay tuned.
UPDATED: May, 2009 Our healthcare system in this country is broken. We spend far too much for health care, and far too many American go uninsured. Washington is attempting to fix this problem. How they do it will have a profound effect on the quality of your healthcare for years to come. The major sticking point is how much government involvement will there be. We already know that (for now) nationalized/single payer healthcare is not happening. Now, the biggest issue that is being debated is should there be a public (government-run) plan competing against private insurance companies. Most Democrats argue that a public plan will have lower costs, and will compete with private insurance companies for business. This public plan will keep privatee companies "honest", and will force the private carriers to be more competitive. This public plan will also provide those without insurance a low cost option. Republicans and many Democratic are vehemently opposed to this government-run plan. They argue that the lower costs are mostly artificial-taxpayers (you) will be heavily subsidizing this plan. However, since it will have lower costs through this unfair advantage, people will flock to the public plan and companies will “dump” their employees into this plan. This will ultimately put the private insurance companies out of business, and voila, we now have nationalized healthcare. They argue that your healthcare will be rationed, and a Washington bureaucrat will decide what prescriptions you need, if you really need that MRI, and if it is cost-efficient to have mom or dad to have that surgery, etc. Stay tuned…
REFER TO ARTICLES TAB (above) FOR RECENT ARTICLES
CONCERNING HEALTH CARE REFORM
Welcome to my website! I hope you find this to be a valuable resource.
Allen Heffler has been a financial advisor with the firm of Karr Barth Associates in Bala Cynwyd, PA since 1985. He attended The George Washington University, where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Finance in 1985. Allen immediately joined Karr Barth, where he currently holds the position of Executive Vice-President. Allen has also earned the advanced degrees of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) from The American College.
Allen's background and knowledge in the insurance and investment arena play a key role in his ability to help clients achieve their financial goals and objectives. The success of his relationships with individuals, small businesses, and human resources departments are built upon trust. By earning and maintaining the trust of his clients, Allen is able to build long-term partnerships that result in highly effective insurance, investments and business decisions that meet or exceed his client's goals. Allen looks forward to working hard for you and earning your trust by carefully developing and nurturing a relationship that over time can assist you to meet your financial goals and objectives.
In order to stay on top of his field and to continue to develop his professional skills, Allen regularly attends industry training, certifications, and continuing education programs. Maintaining a strong sense of community and a solid professional foundation are very important to Allen. His community activities and professional affiliations include:
- Member of the Million Dollar Round Table
- Member of the National Life Underwriter Association
- Member of the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters
- Preferred Partner of Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO
- Member of Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce
- Very active in National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Allen and his wife Ruth reside in Upper Dublin with their three children.
|
