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Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
WASHINGTONHealth plans support the use of so-called guaranteed-issue policies for all Americans, including those with pre-existing medical conditions, as long as the federal government mandates that everyone must purchase coverage.
AHIP previously opposed guaranteed issue, which requires health insurers to cover anyone regardless of health status. This change of stance, formally announced today by America's Health Insurance Plans, was first mentioned by Karen Ignagni, president and chief executive officer of the Washington-based insurance industry trade group, during a panel discussion held last week at the 13th annual meeting of National Business Coalition on Health.
"We are for guaranteed issuewe're going to be saying that in a number of forumsas long as the government does its part," Ms. Ignagni said at the meeting, which was held Nov. 9-11 in Washington. "We think government has a strong role."
Under the new proposal, which AHIP unveiled Wednesday, health plans participating in the individual health insurance market would be required to offer coverage to all applicants as part of a universal participation plan in which all individuals would be required to maintain health insurance. AHIP also proposed providing financial assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals and said a broad spreading of risk was necessary to promote affordability and maintain premium stability in the individual health insurance market.
This new position is the product of a "listening tour" the organization conducted this past summer during which it sponsored roundtable discussions in communities around the United States, according to an AHIP spokesman.
"This is the best approach to getting everybody covered," he said, noting that "the specifics would need to be worked out by policymakers."