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US health care reform package could affect how children are covered
The health care reform package the US president has signed into law could affect how children are covered.
The reform package requires insurers to provide sufficient cover to sick children – even with current illnesses.
The news comes as health insurance companies in the US have stopped providing child-only insurance policies, because they’re worried parents will wait until their child actually falls ill before they get insurance.
“It’s necessary to keep insurance rates down,” state insurance commissioner for Oklahoma, Kim Holland commented.
The commissioner’s comments come as some insurance companies have expressed their concern about going out of business and harming current policy holders.
The only types of coverage that are likely to be affected are new requests. Existing policies and group plans will remain unaffected – which is good news for people who are currently on one of these plans.
Yet despite this, the White House doesn’t agree. A spokesman for Health and Human Services said they were disappointed a few insurance companies have decided to stop providing child-only insurance policies.
The full and final regulations regarding children’s insurance coverage are due for publication on or before 23rd September 2010.
Are Changes to the Mental Health Order Imminent?
There is growing pressure on the government to make changes to the Mental Health Order following a number of high profile cases. Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has most recently faced calls to reform the act, with the McDermott brothers’ case in County Fermanagh, Ireland cited.
Two of the brothers involved in the case escaped jail sentences as they were declared to be mentally unfit to stand trial. Having committed sex attacks against minors, the pair managed to avoid a custodial sentence through a loophole in the law.
Campaigners argue that this case is a prime example where the Mental Health Order can allegedly be abused to enable criminals to effectively get away with their crimes by using the protection of this particular legislation. It is not a call to revoke the Mental Health Order, but growing calls to amend it have caused both the Health Minister and the Justice Minister to address this issue and speculate that changes to the law are imminent.
Whether this is a matter for the Department of Health or Justice is not completely clear. What is apparent is that the more cases highlighted in which current mental health legislation appears to be used for the benefit of criminals, the more pressure the Government will come under to make changes.
It is vital that the Mental Health Order continues to protect vulnerable individuals. Negative press surrounding mental health issues are all too common and a misinformed public is in danger of calling for repeal when it is reform that is required.
Health Law reforms in the US set to make insurance appeals easier
New legislation passed in the US will make it easier for people who have been denied claims on their health insurance to appeal the decision. Prior to this, people with health insurance schemes provided by their employer were not allowed to appeal a decision made by a health insurance firm.