Insurers DROP Health Care Challenge

[babylonsister]

Insurance industry agrees to fix kids coverage gap
AP

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON – If you can't beat them, join them.

After nearly a year battling President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats over the health care overhaul, the insurance industry says it won't block the administration's efforts to fix a potentially embarrassing glitch in the new law.

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the industry's top lobbyist said Monday insurers will accept new regulations to dispel uncertainty over a much-publicized guarantee that children with medical problems can get coverage starting this year.

Quick resolution of the doubts was a win for Obama — and a sign that the industry has no stomach for another war of words with a president who deftly used double-digit rate hikes by the companies to revive his sweeping health care legislation from near collapse in Congress.

"Health plans recognize the significant hardship that a family faces when they are unable to obtain coverage for a child with a pre-existing condition," Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, said in a letter to Sebelius. Ignagni said that the industry will "fully comply" with the regulations, expected within weeks.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_overhaul_children_s_coverage

[annabanana]

1. Well that's good to hear. BUT

This probably means that they'll launch their challenges on a case by case basis, or try to game state regulations.

[babylonsister]

2. I think it's great to hear, though you know they will be challenging

everything. But I think Sebelius won this round.


Sebelius to insurers: Make my day


The health-care story of the day is that insurers think they've found a way to get around getting around Congress's intent to ban preexisting condition discrimination for children. Details here. This afternoon, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter (pdf) to Karen Ignagni, head of the insurers trade association, saying, essentially, are you sure you want to try this?

more...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/03/sebelius_to_insurers_make_my_d.html

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Sure, but it is still a win.

[vaberella]

3. Great news. Sebelius still needs to write that rules & regs thing, so this doesn't happen again. nt

[Warren Stupidity]

5. That is happening.

This administration is not stupid.

[vaberella]

7. I figured as much. Don't want to take any chances on these liars. n/t

[denimgirly]

4. "...recognize the significant hardship that a family face.." -- Anyone gullable enuf to believe they

care....awwww...so nice to see insurers empathizing wih the public and its only because of this that they are willing to skip profits for the sake of a child's smile.
:puke: :puke:

[Bluenorthwest]

8. That line right there is why they can not be trusted

That statement means they had always recognized that hardship, and simply did not care. Until forced by Cabinet level action. And these are the people we have committed all Americans to dealing with for all health issues for all time. Because Single Payer would have prevented profits. And profits come first. First last and always.

[Jennicut]

9. Good. But they will challenge everything they can and

the administration will have to stay vigilant.

[freeplessinseattle]

10. well, the more they make themselves look like the a**holes

they are, the more people are going to appreciate this reform. If this gets enough publicity people will hopefully be so appalled, "how dare they", then realize that's just the way it's been-until Obama and Pelosi came along.