Health Insurers Drop Coverage For Children Ahead Of New Rules

The Hill:

Health plans in at least four states have announced they're dropping children's coverage just days ahead of new rules created by the healthcare reform law, according to the liberal grassroots group Health Care for America Now (HCAN).

Read the whole story: The Hill

Comments

[ajax2]

11:36 AM on 09/22/2010

The GOP is right, children are overly dependent teet suckers once they are born.

[JanSP1971]

11:19 AM on 09/22/2010

Yes there are death panels and they are not government employees they are as they always have been insurance company employees.

[BlueSkyPilot]

09:38 AM on 09/22/2010

To send "Thank You!" cards

Coventry CEO
Allen Wise
51 BRAMS POINT RD, Hilton Head Island, SC

WellPoint CEO
Angela Braly
832 ALVERNA DR, Indianapolis, IN.

CIGNA CEO
Edward Hanway
1005 Bent Rd, Media PA.

[thepoliticalcat]

02:11 PM on 09/24/2010

Let me just say a big "THANK YOU!" to you for posting the information.

[Helloise]

09:35 AM on 09/22/2010

Ok, "pro lifers", this is your chance to show that you care about fetuses once they've grown to term, are born and are sick.

[Johnniedog]

08:46 AM on 09/22/2010

What is needed is for Congress to pass a Rule that Insurance Companies must insure all Children for a period of two years before they are eligible to be listed on the Exchange. This would make it impossible for those that are dropping Childrens coverage to get into the big Exchange in 2014. If they are going to play this game, then we must play it too, and beat them at it. Lets see if they are willing to cut off their own Noses to spite their Faces. They are trying to Bite the Hand that Feeds them.

[massjim]

08:51 AM on 09/22/2010

What business are you in? Let's say you are a caterer. I think the government should pass a law that all caterers must serve cavier and lobster with every meal without increasing prices.

[athenap]

11:58 AM on 09/22/2010

If you don't want to be in an industry where your job is to supply customers with coverage, don't sell insurance.

[massjim]

08:43 AM on 09/22/2010

But we were promised we could KEEP our existing healthcare? Very predictable ... it's like you sell auto insurance and the government dictates you MUST cover drivers who are blind ... there is no doubt this will cost you millions.

So thousands will lose their healthcare because of this law ... feel the change!

[Helloise]

09:40 AM on 09/22/2010

Yes, let's blame the law attempting to reign in "health" insurance companies, whose business has always been dependent on refusing to pay for as many sick people and services as possible, instead of the perpetrators. Reform of a corrupt system has to begin somewhere and of course, there will be repercussions; bullies don't go down easily. The response is not to go into retreat -- oh, no, not me, massa, I'm a good one, please don't be mad -- but keep fighting.

[athenap]

12:00 PM on 09/22/2010

Do you think you could KEEP your existing health care without this law? News flash--every year, your card might look the same, but you're paying more and getting less, and so is your employer. Is that keeping your coverage? Is it keeping your coverage when all of a sudden your doc trips are twice as much, or your scrips are no longer covered?

Coverage =/= the little card in your wallet.

[bola47]

08:30 AM on 09/22/2010

ah, the for profit death panels.

[humpfree]

08:28 AM on 09/22/2010

"The announcement could lead to higher costs for some parents who are buying separate coverage for themselves and their children at lower cost than the family coverage that's available to them."

This is a total spin. Guaranteed issue coverage for children is what will increase rates. It's no secret. The authors of HCR know it and have acknowledged it. It's simply a question of how much. I'm not even arguing against GI, just pointing out the facts this article and HCAN have tried to sweep under the rug.

[keepemhonest]

08:33 AM on 09/22/2010

Your comment is absurd.  .... you think guaranteed insurance for kids will cost more -- is your logic that the more kids in the pool INCREASE cost .... failed logic.

[humpfree]

09:30 AM on 09/22/2010

Your undue confidence is hilarious. Healthy kids are already in the pool. GI is about insuring those with preexisting conditions (that means they have health issues). So yes, of course they'll cost more. That's the entire point. Pay attention. It's not that difficult.

[TAMPA M]

07:56 AM on 09/22/2010

Hey the scumbags have been doing this premium increase all the time.
These insurance companies are doing that so, when these people come back to get a another policy after this law takes effect.
The insurance companies will charge extremely outrages premium and who knows whenever else they want to do.
It will be impossible for some low to moderate income families to cover that kind of cost.

[humpfree]

08:31 AM on 09/22/2010

How much does it cost to insure a burning house?

[mmille732003]

06:03 AM on 09/22/2010

Obviously we need MORE Dems in Congress to vote in good, solid improvements to this law, which Republicans, 'the free market will fix all' crowd, can't fillibuster. Then we'll get get the public option, which was passed in the House, by the way. Thank you, Nancy Pelosi (just one of the many reasons Republicans hate her).

[mmille732003]

05:56 AM on 09/22/2010

I hope the gov sues.

[keepemhonest]

08:20 AM on 09/22/2010

I hope the "People" sue.

Look, if these companies drop kids from insurance policies THEN they are no longer insurance companies ... it's that simple.  So, they should get ZERO tax benefits that apply to insurance companise.

[jazgr8]

03:21 AM on 09/22/2010

The current bill really is not very good and I am certain will do nothing, but exacerbate the current problems. It is very poorly constructed.

There needs to be a real public option added to it or we're in for a lot of unintended consequences. I sometimes think, faced with the current bill or nothing at all, the administration went for the bill knowing it would create more problems which would ultimately force the need for a public option. I have very mixed emotions about that strategy.

[mashtoe]

01:18 AM on 09/22/2010

Heard Nancy Pelosi defending HCR...she doesn't seem to understand that there is no competition in the health insurance market. It's weird. Does she not know that health insurance corporations were made exempt from competition by the congress? She keeps saying the HCR will work because it will create competition to get into the exchanges...well no, it won't because health insurance corporations can legally work together to all raise rates which leaves the government no choices.

Now, either she knows this and is a lier or she is an idiot.

[thepoliticalcat]

02:33 AM on 09/22/2010

She's neither a liar nor an idiot. There are financial incentives for insurance companies to participate in the exchanges. Try to maintain a sense of perspective here. There is a war going on between the GOP's disinformation machine and the interests of the electorate. Kathleen Sebelius has already warned that the Administration will not tolerate insurance companies pulling this sort of "bait and switch" on consumers. The insurance company lobbyists have activated the Republicans to spout their latest talking point: forcing Sebelius' resignation. Don't give them this wedge to use against you. Don't panic like sheep. Watch what's happening and think long-term strategy.

[jazgr8]

03:07 AM on 09/22/2010

I think I heard the same interview, on NPR. Sadly I agree. I don't think she's an idiot, but I do think she is putting some very big lips on a very big pig. I think she knows the current law is poorly put together and is hoping it can be improved, but she didn't inspire my confidence to be completely honest.

[BocaMom]

11:51 PM on 09/21/2010

What a terrible health bill! Now only did we not get Universal Health, our health insurance is costing us more!

[thepoliticalcat]

02:35 AM on 09/22/2010

Is it really? The bill is definitely flawed, but we can thank the Republicans and the Blue Running Dogs for that. My insurance company has not raised rates, but they did send me a nice letter telling me that I can no longer be dumped for pre-existing conditions and I can now add children of up to college age to my policy. How much has your coverage increased? Have you called the Insurance Commissioner of your state? We have to fight these companies, which make a profit off our illness and suffering.

[taddles]

02:54 AM on 09/22/2010

Hard for your insurnace to be costing you more because of HCR since the HCR bill has not gone into effect yet. If you are paying more it's because the insurance companies you so want to save are stealing from you. Perhaps if you hadn't been so easily duped by the insurance companies into protesting against single payer you wouldn't be paying more for you insurance.

[M1]

11:46 PM on 09/21/2010

SINGLE PAYER; SINGLE PAYER; SINGLE PAYER!

EVEN A PUBLIC OPTION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING!

OH, RIGHT, WE HAVE NEITHER.

[thepoliticalcat]

02:38 AM on 09/22/2010

M1, the Republicans now quite well that the ultimate goal is single payer. That's what they're afraid of. They've said so in public. That's why they keep referring to us, the voters, as "lazy, spoiled, entitlement-minded." Their great fear is that health care will join Social Security and unemployment benefits as the untouchable Third Rail of all our political discourse. The Republicans have just stated that they want to extend the Bush tax cuts, for which we'll need to borrow money to the tune of $4 TRILLION over the next 10 years. But they say we can't afford health care. Don't give up the fight for the public option. The only way we'll get it is if we fight like hell for it. Social Security didn't happen overnight either.

[M1]

02:54 PM on 09/22/2010

I understand the Republican rhetoric regarding how we can not afford a single payer system or any programs that would assist the needy or educate our children and why their argument is a false one. However, it was the White House that sold the Public Option down the river before the public debate on the Public option began. Now, the Republican puppets will point to all the problems stemming from this misstep of no public option and call HCR a failure, a mess and Obamacare. This too was foreseeable. I won't give up the fight for single payer or a public option...but, dang, this is a miserable ride watching all the time, hurt and money that will have to be spent to correct something that could have been avoided.

[thepoliticalcat]

02:39 AM on 09/22/2010

Good grief, I've lost my typing ability. I meant "the Republicans ARE now quite well AWARE that the ultimate goal is single payer."