ANNOUNCING THE 61ST ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION (NHF)
The NHF’s 2009 Annual Meeting, “Building Bridges” will be held in San Francisco, CA from October 29-31.The meeting presents new and important information to the bleeding disorders community and its healthcare partners through educational sessions, workshops, and a medical track for physicians and researchers. There will be ample opportunity for networking with other participants. In celebration of the date, a Halloween Party will be held the evening of Saturday, the 31st.
Before the Annual Meeting’s official start later that day, October 29th will also feature two sessions--Young Women with Bleeding Disorders: Breaking the Cycle of 16 Years and Chapters Talking to Consumers—Hot Topic: Health Insurance.
NHF members can obtain a 15% discount on the Registration Fee by registering on-line by June 28, 11:59 PM, Eastern Time. To apply, contact NHF at Registration Information.
Those attending a NHF Annual Meeting for the first time may also be eligible for a grant to cover transportation, hotel, expenses and/or Registration costs. Application deadline for these Educational Participation Grants must be mailed no later than June 26. To obtain application forms or more information, use the link above.
ANNOUNCING A NEW CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION IN WEST VIRGINIA
A dedicated group of West Virginians are forming a new NHF Chapter, the Bleeding Disorders Association of West Virginia. By Laws have been written and Officers elected. Eddie Harbert is serving as President. Other officers include Vice-President, Cynthia Simmons; Secretary, Theresa Johnson; Treasurer, Lee Harbert; and Board Member, Clint Hollandsworth.
The next meeting of the Bleeding Disorders Association of WV is tentatively set for October 10 in the Beckley area. Lunch will be provided. All interested persons and their family members are welcome.
UPDATE ON LIFETIME INSURANCE CAPS LEGISLATION
On February 13, 2009 the Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act (S. 2706/H. 6528) was introduced in the US Senate and US House of Representatives. Several Chapters of the National Hemophilia Foundation worked very hard to get this legislation introduced because treating bleeding disorders can exhaust, in just a few years, the current $1-2 million cap on the total amount an insurer will pay toward a patient’s medical claims.
The new legislation proposes three changes to group insurance plans:
- Raises the minimum level for lifetime caps to $5 million for the first two years, then sets it at $10 million for two more years;
- Imposes adjustments based on consumer price index to keep lifetime caps in line with inflation in the following years; and,
- Requires insurance companies to offer a group plan which conforms to the Bill, if requested by a business with fewer than 20 employees.
The joint bill also calls for the Institute of Medicine to determine the number of insured who reach their lifetime caps under the new limits. Join with others of the bleeding disorder community by contacting your Senators and Representatives asking for their support in passing the
News Archives