Clarification on pre-existing conditions legislation in (current) HCR bills

[freddie mertz]

Senate, House Democratic health bills compared
By ERICA WERNER and RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR (AP) – 4 days ago
A comparison of the health care bills before Congress:

The Senate Democratic bill (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act):


INSURANCE INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS: Starting in 2014: no denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions. No higher premiums allowed for pre-existing conditions or gender. Limits on higher premiums based on age and family size. Starting upon enactment of legislation: children up to age 26 can stay on parents insurance; no lifetime limits on coverage.


The House bill (Affordable Health Care for America Act):

INSURANCE INDUSTRY RESTRICTIONS: Starting in 2013, no denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions. No higher premiums allowed for pre-existing conditions or gender. Limits on higher premiums based on age.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gm81TTE7a0EUL9JlzVML1dnH2N2gD9C2A7E80

This helps to explain why the House Bill contains this interim provision (listed but not sourced in THIS DU thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x11487):

"2. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POLL) - Creates a temporary insurance program until the Exchange is available for individuals who have been uninsured for several months or have been denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions."

The source for that OP appears to be: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/11/what_happens_before_2014.html

I'm posting this here rather than in that unfortunate thread so that the information I found can be easily accessed.

Thanks for reading.

[freddie mertz]

1. Why would anyone "unrec" a simple presentation of fact?

This clarifies a contentious and unresolved point from yesterday.

AND provides links in every case.

And that is all it does.

[freddie mertz]

2. So the big question is THIS: What is to prevent the insurance companies

From dumping thousands of people for pre-existing conditions during the YEARS leading up to implementation, assuming that something resembling either of these provisions becomes law?

This could be a ticking time-bomb with dire consequences for many citizens, just as the credit card reforms have prompted massive, across-the-board interest hikes from those companies.

[phleshdef]

3. Effective 2010 (or when the bill passes): - End to Rescission.

This end to rescission would Prohibit insurers from nullifying or rescinding a patient's policy when they file a claim for benefits, except in the case of fraud.

Therefore, though they may continue to deny pre-existing conditions between now and the time all in the bill goes into effect, that particular piece would prevent them from dropping coverage for current customers unless some sort of fraud was committed. Given that piece stays in the bill, your concerns are a non-issue.

[freddie mertz]

4. Have you got a link to that specific language?

Sorry to ask, but I'm interested in this point.

[phleshdef]

5. Well, I'm taking Ezra Klein's word for it, but I can look more if its that big of an issue.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/11/what_happens_before_2014.html

[freddie mertz]

6. OK. That will do. I hope you are right....

But they told us not to worry about the credit card bill too... that has been a train wreck for millions.

[freddie mertz]

7. Hmm well anyway...

I think it is informative...