White House working to close benefit caps loophole

[TomCADem]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) -- After hearing concerns from patient advocates, the White House on Friday said it is looking to close a loophole in the Senate health care bill that would allow caps on annual insurance benefits.

"The president has made it clear that health insurance reform legislation should prevent insurance companies from placing annual limits on health expenditures that can force families into financial ruin," said White House spokesman Reid Cherlin. "We will continue to work with Congress on this policy."

The loophole in the Senate bill reversed a previous version of the plan that would have prevented insurance companies from establishing such limits, according to three Democratic aides who spoke to CNN earlier Friday.

The trade-off had drawn criticism from the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network, a patient advocacy group.


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/12/11/health.care.benefit.caps/

[winyanstaz]

1. K & R,,,,,

Well I am glad to see that and I sure hope it happens.

[superconnected]

2. Very good news. I still have hope for this administration and health care.

[pattmarty]

6. I believe that at this stage of the "reform" reality has to at least..............

............begin to seep into the consciousness of the eternal optimists such as yourself. At this point "victory" has become such a low bar, that whatever crap is passed the admin will declare it a victory and lose seats in next years elections. My opinion, scrap the bill and pass STRONG regulations and repeal their anti trust exemption. At least the American people won't take it as badly in the ass, and maybe, just maybe this will control the rising costs. Having universal coverage by PRIVATE companies was a fucking stupid idea in the first place.

[pattmarty]

3. This has become a clusterfuck. This should have NEVER been............

..............allowed into the bill in the first place. The Dems have fucked this up royally and this bill should be scrapped. At this point it is better to legislate STRONG regulations on the industry and pull their anti trust provision and hopefully down the road gradually institute Medicare for all in age stages.

[groundloop]

4. Unfortunately, that may be the best that's possible

I suppose it's still possible that a decent bill emerges once the House and Senate bills are merged. I had high hopes for healthcare reform when it became clear that we had 60 in the Senate, but I should have known a few self serving assholes, along with big money from the insurance industry, would screw it up.

But, as you suggest, if nothing else the insurance industry should come out of this with strong regulation.

[NJmaverick]

5. Outstanding

:toast: