Pest Management Professional, September 2012
Af fordable Healthcare What changes can PMPs expect as a result of the recent U S Supreme Cour t decision P est management professionals PMPs need to prepare for the legal requirements of the recent U S Supreme Court decision upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act PPACA commonly known as Obamacare Some knowledgeable insiders see several positive aspects to the Act others are viscerally opposed I think there was some good in it notes Joe Wilson owner and CEO of PermaTreat Termite and Pest Control in Fredericksburg Va For example the 100 percent coverage for preventive care thats a good thing Forcing the insurance companies to spend at least 85 percent of their income on insurance coverage I think probably is a good thing Wilson has solid background for his opinions He has served on the insurance reform task force of his states Health Reform Initiative appointed by Virginias governor Bob McDonnell Our job was to try to prepare Virginia for Obamacare Wilson recalls A lot of our work involved trying to get the skeleton set up for health exchanges It was determined that health exchanges in Virginia would apply to 50 or fewer employees The number of employers providing health care insurance gradually has slipped from 67 percent to about 63 percent But after looking at it I dont think it will have much of an impact on what employers do as far as furnishing insurance he adds Wilson says if PMPs look at what has happened in Massachusetts the actual number of employers that furnish health insurance has either remained steady or increased a percentage point or two The reason for that is that the health care exchange didnt attract the number of people that they thought it would he explains The current Act requires states to set up health insurance exchanges by 2014 This in effect sets up a new marketplace for individuals and small businesses to buy health coverage The federal government will operate an exchange to serve workers in states that opt not to create their own exchanges by January 2014 Uncle Sam will operate a federal exchange to serve workers in states that opt not to create their own exchanges by the deadline At press time Florida and Louisiana already have said they will not participate The deadline is 18 months away and many managers are just starting the compliance process For starters fixing future costs can be complex But there are things PMPs must do now to prepare BY CURT HARLER RON STEVENS 20 September 2012 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net
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