Health Care Proposals for the States
California
The California Assembly Health Committee recently passed a series of bills that will mandate expansion of specific benefits and health services for insurers. Benefits and services include mental health coverage (AB1877), screening and diagnostic test for gynecological cancer (AB1774), HIV testing (AB1894), maternity health care (AB1962), and breast cancer screening (AB 2234). Insurance plans opposing bills argue that e increasing costs of the proposed mandates would total an estimated $2.7 billion annually and that 85,000 Californians would lose health insurance coverage because of the consequential higher premium costs.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Legislature will be reviewing a new proposed bill that would allow small businesses with up to 500 employees including public workers and non-profit organizations to join the state’s high risk pool for health coverage. Those challenging the bill argue that an estimated $54 million in savings the state expects to receive under contract by insurers who provide pool coverage, could be at risk if these additional businesses would be allowed to join the pool.
Kansas
Kansas Legislature has passed a health care reform bill that would require health insurers in the state to offer plans that allow premiums to be paid with pre-tax wages. The bill also proposes an extended deadline in which individuals who change jobs can continue health coverage. To make health care more available and affordable, $4 million in funds will be available the first year of the reform for low income individuals and a state grants for cancer screenings.
Nebraska
A new Nebraska bill proposing workers’ compensation benefits for police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers who suffered mental illness as a result of witnessing violent acts raises concerns about the increasing costs on workers’ compensation premiums and state expenses. Supporters of the bill argued that the Omaha mall shooting in December was a good example of why the bill should be passed. Those opposing argued that the bill would cause a dramatic expansion of workers’ compensation coverage.
Ohio
Ohio legislature has passed new standards in contracts between TPAs and providers. Those opposing the new standards proposed a bill to exclude self-funded plans, arguing that the bill, which enforces administrative requirements on employers, is preempted by ERISA because it would interfere with federal statutes.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Legislature has approved new guidelines on health insurance plans offered to small businesses and individuals which will ban health plans on setting plan rates on health history including and exclude insurance requirements of an 85 percent spending minimum of premiums on health care. The bill also would allow the Insurance Department to prohibit a rate increase.