The Uproar Over Insurance ‘Cancellation’ Letters
By DAVID FIRESTONE, NYT
Kathleen Sebelius, the Health and Human Services secretary, took a lot of grief this morning from Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who were outraged that some people’s individual insurance policies had been “cancelled” because of health care reform.
Some of the rants bordered on the comical. Cory Gardner, Republican of Colorado, brandished his “cancellation” letter and demanded that Ms. Sebelius nullify the health law for all residents of his congressional district.
Most lawmakers mentioned President Obama’s unfortunate blanket statement that all Americans would be allowed to keep their insurance policies if they liked them. He failed to make an exception for inadequate policies that don’t meet the new minimum standards.
But in between lashings, Ms. Sebelius managed to make an important point. Yes, some people will be forced to upgrade their policies, she said. But that’s preferable to the status quo before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, when insurers could cancel policies on a whim.
(More here.)
Kathleen Sebelius, the Health and Human Services secretary, took a lot of grief this morning from Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who were outraged that some people’s individual insurance policies had been “cancelled” because of health care reform.
Some of the rants bordered on the comical. Cory Gardner, Republican of Colorado, brandished his “cancellation” letter and demanded that Ms. Sebelius nullify the health law for all residents of his congressional district.
Most lawmakers mentioned President Obama’s unfortunate blanket statement that all Americans would be allowed to keep their insurance policies if they liked them. He failed to make an exception for inadequate policies that don’t meet the new minimum standards.
But in between lashings, Ms. Sebelius managed to make an important point. Yes, some people will be forced to upgrade their policies, she said. But that’s preferable to the status quo before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, when insurers could cancel policies on a whim.
(More here.)
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1 Comments:
Did you notice that the House hearing is being held by the Energy and Commerce Committee ?
Their focus is on commerce … the produce being sold is insurance … not healthcare.
Congresswoman Blackburn cites "freedom" to choose ... yet should the Committee be concerned that people unknowingly purchased inadequate policies ?
Isn't funny that the same people that tell us that women need to have a vaginal ultrasound during pregnancy, yet insurance companies offer plans that do not cover all standard testing, ultrasounds, office visits, birth, after care, etc..
Of course, some of these politicians (i.e. Marsha Blackburn) will also be issuing press releases about Breast Cancer Awareness month while telling us that Medicare spending is unmanageable and at the same time protesting cuts in Medicare reimbursements for diagnostic and evaluative imaging.
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