Guaranteed issue coming to your neigborhood soon

Winter_123

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For those who ask what has changed since the last time Hillary tried health reform, it is worth noting (among several other things) that the insurance industry which killed guaranteed issue and mandatory coverage last time around is supporting it this time.

It's coming.

Winter


Copyright 2008 The Bismarck Tribune, a division of Lee EnterprisesAll Rights Reserved The Bismarck Tribune

November 25, 2008 Tuesday


HEADLINE: Insurers make pitch on health coverage



WASHINGTON (AP) - The health insurance industry said Wednesday it will support a national health care overhaul that requires them to accept all customers, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions - but in return it wants lawmakers to mandate that everyone buy coverage.

Lawmakers have signaled their intent to craft health care legislation early next year, and the insurance industry's support would make passage easier. That legislation is expected to closely track the proposals of President-elect Barack Obama. However, Obama separated himself from his Democratic challengers by opposing an individual mandate for adults to buy health insurance.

More lawmakers may agree to a mandate if it means the insurance industry will back those efforts. They'll remember it was the industry's opposition 15 years ago that helped scuttle former President Clinton's health plan.
 
The article you posted came out as far back as the 19th and some versions leave the following paragraphs out (yours included):

Insurers will want to participate in the exchange because government subsidies will make it easier for millions of people to buy coverage from them. But the insurers say experience in the states shows the coverage guarantee often makes it harder for people to find coverage. That's because insurers raised premiums to meet the expense of covering all applicants with chronic health conditions.

"They ended up making the problem much worse," Ignagni said of the state efforts. "The data is clear about the need to have everyone part of the system."

Analysts say Massachusetts is an example where the coverage guarantee has worked well, but it's also a state that requires everyone to buy health coverage or suffer a tax penalty.

Source:
Insurers make pitch for health coverage mandate - Yahoo! News
 
The article you posted came out as far back as the 19th and some versions leave the following paragraphs out (yours included):

Insurers will want to participate in the exchange because government subsidies will make it easier for millions of people to buy coverage from them. But the insurers say experience in the states shows the coverage guarantee often makes it harder for people to find coverage. That's because insurers raised premiums to meet the expense of covering all applicants with chronic health conditions.

"They ended up making the problem much worse," Ignagni said of the state efforts. "The data is clear about the need to have everyone part of the system."

Analysts say Massachusetts is an example where the coverage guarantee has worked well, but it's also a state that requires everyone to buy health coverage or suffer a tax penalty.

When you add in those paragraphs it does not change anything. The insurers are willing to switch sides and support guaranteed issue in return for having mandatory coverage.
 
Does that mean they'll hire and train a larger staff to handle all of the business, or they'll use existing licensed agents?

Also, what do you plan to do, besides posting like chicken little?

When you add in those paragraphs it does not change anything. The insurers are willing to switch sides and support guaranteed issue in return for having mandatory coverage.
 
Look at the states where coverage is the most expensive, they are all GI states.

Look at the states where there is no individual market, they are all GI states.

GI is the biggest failure of this country and to think our politicians want to model that failure blows my mind.

Health Insurance will never be mandated effectively. Anyone look up auto uninsured motorist rates lately? How well is that working out?

p.s. Auto is not guaranteed issue either!
 
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This is what I compare it with: remember when they { the government } made every state go with the 21 law for drinking, or else they would withold money for highways and such? A lobbying effort by MADD and so on...

I think the same thing happens here, they withold funding if the insurance companies do not comply with GI and such. It's all politics.
 
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Does that mean they'll hire and train a larger staff to handle all of the business, or they'll use existing licensed agents?

Their telesales/website business will be zipping that's for sure. There is not much for an agent to do in a guaranteed issue environment. If the government regulates what their approved plans must contain then there will be even less.
The first year could be good for agents since the carriers are users and they will have needs during the transition. More volume less commission but no underwriting. In the long run, lower volume, less commission as consumers go direct to carriers or through some government approved enrollment process.
 
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