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October 24, 2011 0 Comments
Government employees are well known (and sometimes envied) for having high-quality health insurance plans. Their benefits are typically more generous than those in the private sector, with higher coverage limits and lower deductibles and co-payments. Meanwhile, the portion of monthly premiums paid by workers is generally in expensive.
Recently, these benefits have come under fire. Historically, they are the result of strong labor unions and their agreements to lower maximum pay scales. However, as the federal government (as well as its state, county, and local counterparts) is having budget struggles, it is one of the highest seemingly fixed costs. The public is angry that a relatively small percentage of people are benefiting, while services are cut and/or taxes are raised.
The Federal Employee Health Benefits Program has recently spawned more controversy. Recently, it allowed Aetna to send an email advertisement to enrollees. While this is typical, the product being promoted was health coverage for pets. Pet insurance has become more popular over the past several years, since many consider Fido or Fluffy a part of their family. This particular option does not even have age limits!
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Normally, this would be an additional perk that would recieve little notice. The issue comes in when federal employees are not allowed to buy coverage for their domestic partners through the benefits program. GLBT groups have criticized the program for implying that a dog or cat is more valuable than a gay, lesbian, or transgender person. In their defense, the pet insurance is an additional product and not a formal part of the federal benefits package. Still, the implications were uncomfortable for some.
This situation is an unfortunate side effect of the Defense of Marriage Act. That law prohibits the federal government from offering benefits–such as health insurance plans–to same-sex domestic partners, whether or not they are legally married or in a civil union.
What is the financial impact of extending benefits to nearly 30,000 employees’ partners? According to the Congressional Budget Office, it would cost the FEHB about 0 million through the next decade. Currently, there are two bills pending in the House of Representatives and Senate to extend full federal benefits to same-sex partners of government employees. They have made it out of committee, but have stalled due to bipartisan budget concerns.
Yamileth Medina is an up and coming expert on Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform. She aims to help people realize that they can find quality health insurance plans right now. Yamileth lives in Miami, FL.
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October 23, 2011 0 Comments
Going on holiday can be lots of fun – but leaving a pet behind is often stressful. The following tips could reduce the worry you might otherwise feel.
June brings with it the knowledge that summer holidays are about to become reality. However, some owners may be preoccupied with worries over pet health care for their furry friends while they are jetting off somewhere hot.
There are several options for looking after a pet dog or cat while you are on holiday: you can leave your animal at a boarding kennel or cattery, with a friend, or allow it to stay in your own house with a sitter.
Whichever method you choose, following the tips below could help ease any worries you may have.
Don’t select a place for your pet unless you have previously found out about all its practices and procedures. Before you entrust your beloved pet to an establishment you should visit the place several times so that you learn about its staff and procedures. Getting to know the people who will be caring for your pet, asking them about emergency protocol and the sort of food, exercise and attention your animal will receive on a daily basis is also advisable. If you have any misgivings about where you are about to leave your pet, don’t leave him there. Some facilities even have special pet webcams which allow you to see your pooch or moggy playing and relaxing, so why not enquire about this?
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Whether you are hiring a professional or asking a friend to catsit for a week, it could be a great idea to spend some time with them and your animal before you leave. This should help reassure you about how your pet and its would-be carer interact together, as well as allowing the babysitter to get to know the animal and its quirks.
No matter where your pet is staying or who with, leaving the carer a list of emergency contacts, details about special diets, routines or idiosyncrasies the animal may have and a copy of its veterinary records is probably a wise move. Ensure that yourdog insurance details are within the documents supplied. There will be many things about your pet that you will take for granted but which won’t be known to its carer so think hard about such things and write them down for the carer. Giving your pet a favourite toy and perhaps a blanket or T-shirt which carries the scent of you and home can also help reassure it.
ASPCA, the American cat and dog rescue organisation, claims that when the owner leaves, many animals, particularly dogs, can become distressed. If your dog manifests this distress by destructive behaviour or physical symptoms, everyone will be upset. Not only do the pet health care experts recommend getting any tics – such as nervous urination – checked out at the vets before leaving to rule out any biological issues. Your pet insurance company may cover the vet fees should treatment be needed. Greetings and goodbyes should, according to the professionals, be calm and brief; otherwise your pet may become terrified. So, however emotional you may feel, your pet is best served by your leaving him as casually as you can.
It’s always a good idea to compare pet insurance before making a final decision on the best way to protect your pet. To get a quick online quote for your cat, dog or horse insurance, visit Animal Friends today – they will be happy to advise you on purchasing a policy which best suits your needs.
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