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.