Description: This article presents a view of health care as an economic system, suggests a framework for classifying current criticisms of the system, and offers references for further reading.

Description: Report on the proceedings of the 2010 Long Term Care Think Tank Session, whose goals were to discuss the major issues and challenges facing the LTC insurance industry, and to formulate action items and initiatives to help the industry move ahead. Focus was on understanding the needs & affordability capabilities of different market segments, the limited variety of product designs, shrinking distribution force, regulation and public policy, implications of the CLASS Act, and ideas for educating consumers and marketing products.

Description: Republicans have promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act for years. Now that they have power, what will Republican health care reform look like?

Description: Remarks on long term care insurance for business owners and executives, including its role in financial planning and asset protection, the growth in likelihood that the coverage will be utilized, and tax incentives for employers.

Description: This research report is sponsored by The Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries on the Canadian health care system. Performed by Stéphane Levert, FSA, FCIA, the study (available in French and English) estimated the future costs of the Canadian health care system, assessed the sustainability of the system over a 25-year horizon, and analyzed the implications of the changes to the Canada Health Transfer proposed on Dec. 19, 2011 by the federal government. The report summarizing the findings indicates that, without significant government intervention, the Canadian health care system in its current form is not sustainable.

Description: Task Force report on life insurance company sales illustration practices from the perspective of the consumer. The study analyzes how well current illustration practices serve their primary functions of: 1. showing the consumer their policy values and premium payments over time, and 2. projecting best estimates of future performance and providing cost and performance comparisons with other policies.

Description: Panel session discussion of how universal access, quality of care, and controlling health care costs are being addressed in Latin American countries.

Description: An economics professor and a health care consumer advocate weigh in on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including implementation issues, directions for the future and what role actuaries shoudl take.

Description: The editor of Health Watch previews the articles in this issue.

Description: Consideration of the LTC Actuarial Standard of Practice