Rebutting "You can't change your private coverage"

[Qutzupalotl]

You've probably heard people say that the healthcare overhaul passes, people on private plans will be forced into the government plan. This is not true.

Investors Business Daily ran a frantic editorial claiming that if HR3200 passes, you can keep the private insurance you have, but you will not be able to change it:

"Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day" of the year the legislation becomes law.

So we can all keep our coverage, just as promised — with, of course, exceptions: Those who currently have private individual coverage won't be able to change it. Nor will those who leave a company to work for themselves be free to buy individual plans from private carriers.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=332548165656854


But they made an obvious blunder. What they quoted is a section defining the term "grandfathered health coverage". It is saying that if an plan enrolls individuals after Y1, it's not considered grandfathered.

SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.
(a) GRANDFATHERED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DEFINED.—Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term ‘‘grandfathered health insurance coverage’’ means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:
(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1.
(B) DEPENDENT COVERAGE PERMITTED.—Subparagraph (A) shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of a dependent of an individual who is covered as of such first day.

It is NOT saying that nobody can buy private insurance after Y1. That would defeat the purpose of the bill, which is to foster competition, not eliminate it.

Hope you can use this!

[Ocracoker16]

1. That is absolutely right

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Thanks. I heard the rumor last night at a town hall

and had to go look it up for myself. It didn't sound right.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. You'd think the word "does" would tip people off.

If it were a restriction and not a definition, it would say "shall not" or similar.

[librechik]

4. we can't change plans now--I get UHC from my employer, they're not going to switch

for me!

[Qutzupalotl]

5. Good point.

I think the right is approaching this from the business owners' perspective, stoking fears that their options will disappear.

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Lou Dobbs is a douchebag.

:shrug: