The U.S. Senate today voted down a bill that would have allowed employers and health plans to deny coverage for contraceptives and other services based on moral or religious objections. The vote was 51 to 48.

The bill, proposed by Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, picked up steam following President Obama's announcement earlier in the year that universities and hospitals affiliated with religious groups had to provide free birth control as part of their employee health coverage. Following a firestorm of controversy, the president later amended the requirement, shifting the cost of the program away from employers and onto their insurance carriers.

The only Republican to vote against the Blunt plan was Maine's Sen. Olympia Snow, who has announced she will not seek re-election this year.

The Senate battle is one of many legal skirmishes going on in response to Obama's  healthcare reform. The U.S.  Supreme Court is currently hearing challenges to the overhaul.

California-based insurance behemoth Blue Shield raised eyebrows today with the announcement that it would be raising its fees--in some cases as high as 59% for individuals, the LA Times reports. The increases will take effect on March 1st, and will likely affect tens of thousands of people. While Blue Shield rates have gone up an average of 30 or 35%, it appears that one in four Blue Shield customers will experience an increase of 50% or more.

We'll see what pans out before March 1st--and how effective new Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones will be at blocking the changes. Right now he doesn't have the authority to do so, but he says that the situation is "under review."

"Blue Shield's increases pose the same problem posed by Anthem Blue Cross last year and other health insurers as well," Jones told the LA Times. "My hope would be that Blue Shield would reexamine these rate hikes, particularly in the face of the impact they are having on individual policyholders."

You may be running low on time to spend the rest of your flexible spending account (FSA) before the end of the year.

Depending on your insurance and your health care needs, here are some possible ways to drain your FSA:

• Get some glasses.
• Stock up on medications.
• Birth control can be an approved expense.
• Check your teeth.
• See an acupuncturist - some alternative medical treatments may be covered.

And, give yourself the best holiday gift. Stop smoking - clinical smoking-cessation treatment is an OK expense.

More Information from Dr. Mike:

• Top 10 Ways To Use Your FSA Dollars

What do you think? Please leave a comment below or in the Health Insurance Forum.

To stay up to date on health insurance issues get Dr. Mike's Health Insurance Newsletter.

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Photo © iStockphoto.com

One of the contributors to my forum recently posted the following comment. I thought it was worth sharing as an example of how the Affordable Care Act can make a difference to someone with a pre-existing health condition.

I have not been able to find full time work. And I have been denied personal coverage for years due to pre-existing conditions (with thyroid cancer added to the list). I was at wits end two months ago because I need one more treatment for my cancer. Then, I found out that part of Obama's bill includes the Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan. It is basically a large US GOV group plan that covers the gap for people who (a) do not qualify for subsidized care like Medicaid, (b) can pay competitive group premium rates, (c) have a pre-existing condition for which one has been denied coverage, (d) have not had insurance for at least 6 months, (e) have been denied coverage in the last 12 months.

PCIP Updates for 2011
22 states and the District of Columbia are offering pre-existing condition insurance plans run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services. The rest of the states are managing state-run plans.

In 2011, the program administered by the federal government will include three health plan options, with different levels of premiums, calendar year deductibles, prescription deductibles and prescription copays.

For information about the program - including how much it may cost you each month and which states are "doing their own thing" - visit the PCIP website.

What do you think? Please leave a comment below or in the Health Insurance Forum.

To stay up to date on health insurance issues get Dr. Mike's Health Insurance Newsletter.