Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Nursing mothers get a break with the new health reform law. Literally, they now get a break to pump milk for their nursing infants. Hidden within thousands of pages is a provision that requires employers to grant unpaid breaks and a non-bathroom area for lactating mothers.

This isn’t a “women’s lib” issue – it’s a cultural change and an is important for the child’s long-term health.  In fact, 24 states already have “nursing mothers” workplace laws. This new Federal law does not supersede those but now all mothers can return to work with one less stressful situation.

In today’s economy, many mothers must return to work quickly leaving nursing infants in the care of others. Instead of having to switch to costly (and less nutritional) formula, mother’s can periodically slip away to a private area and “make” lunch for their nursing child. The law allows for up to 1 year of nursing privilege.

Personally, my favorite part of the law is that women aren’t relegated to unsanitary office bathrooms to pump milk.

A fact sheet from the Department of Labor can be downloaded. There are still some enforcement issues that need to be worked out; however, the law is in full effect as of March 23, 2010.

Many employers may not be aware of this new law so nursing mothers may need to do some educating. Companies with less than 50 employees can be exempt if they show there is a real hardship in complying.

A special thanks to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) for sponsored this historic federal breast-feeding legislation.

Panicked about health insurance? Beware of health insurance scams. Con artists are like sharks circling until you let your defenses down.  Phony health insurance companies and the scum who run them are looking for you.

Let’s face it – health care premiums are sky high and more people are left to find their own coverage. Based upon age, health and state of residence, there is not a huge difference between one company to another for similar coverage. If  a company quotes you a low-ball price, BEWARE!

Literally hundreds of “insurance companies” have cropped up recently looking for desperate families in need of coverage. Unfortunately, each state has its own laws and penalties for these scammers. In Nevada (where I live) thousands of people paid premiums to a non-existent company. Only when health care bills went unpaid did they realize they had been victimized.

You have to protect yourself because frankly – no one else will! There are even six states which have no laws regarding phony health insurance companies.

Here’s how to protect yourself -

• Learn about how scammers work at Insurance Fraud.org.
• Contact your state’s insurance commissioner BEFORE signing anything. Some states keep tabs on consumer complaints to help you determine whether a specific insurance carrier has ongoing problems.
• Check the financial health of the company. A.M. Best can tell you whether the company is sound enough to pay for those million dollar + claims people have.
• Beware of any company that requires you to join an organization or association for insurance eligibility.
• Don’t assume legitimate organizations such as AARP offer the best rates and coverage. These companies typically sell the rights to use their name in advertising but they aren’t actually guaranteeing anything.
• If you cannot find sufficient information about a specific company in your state, try another state in which they are licensed to operate.
• Never sign anything until you have done your research.
• Legitimate health insurance companies never send unsolicited emails or go door-to-door. Do not do business with any one who markets this way!
• Insist upon a full copy of your desired policy before paying any premiums.
• There is no special enrollment period or new insurance companies mandated by the new Federal health care regulations.
• If you believe you are dealing with a fraudulent insurance company, contact your state’s insurance commission immediately. Here is a list by state of insurance fraud bureaus.

Hope this Tantrum Tuesday post will help you from becoming one of tens of thousands of people who have been conned by these scumbags. 

Good luck and be wary out there.