Senator Rockefeller Finds A Huge Loophole In The Baucus Bill

[Are_grits_groceries]

Senator Rockefeller pointed out that there was a gigantic loophole in the Baucus bill that would leave half of Americans subject to potential discrimination by private insurers. Apparently due to existing federal law, large companies can call themselves "self-insurers" even though they provide coverage through a major insurance company. These sort of self-insurance plans are mostly exempt from state regulations and are allowed to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

The regulations in H.R. 3200, the House health care bill, and in the Senate HELP bill, offer self-insured Americans protections against denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, no lifetime caps or annual caps on their coverage, and ensures they'll receive the same benefits as other employees in their workplace.

The loophole is that Senator Baucus's bill doesn't offer self-insured Americans these protections against denial of coverage, no lifetime caps or annual caps on their coverage, and basically leaves them out in the cold.

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/23/senator-rockefeller-finds-a-huge-loophole-in-the-baucus-bill/

Meh! The Baucus Bill is one big loophole with a few laws around the edge.

[babylonsister]

1. I'm glad Rockefeller found it. nt

[FiveGoodMen]

2. You pretty much knew it had to be there.

[jtrockville]

13. Why? Without price controls, they can "offer" insurance for $1,000,000,000/year.

Why would they need a loophole?

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Using the self-insurance scam to avoid insurance regulation is nothing new.

Many companies have done this for years so they can in effect write their own policies with no oversight from insurance commissioners. They can put various copays, limits, etc. on the coverage. A common one is to exclude mental health and AODA coverage, or to set very low annual limits.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. We are going to have to build a monument to this man when this is over.

He is truly looking out for We The People at every step.

[goclark]

14. Yes He Is looking out for All the people

Not just the Congress members

[Taverner]

5. Meh indeed!

Actually change that Meh to a Feh!

[myrna minx]

6. K&R n/t

[Canuckistanian]

7. Sounds like a carefully crafted loophole

As most loopholes are.

[Joanie Baloney]

8. The Baucus bill is one big loophole, alright

and Baucus is one big poophole.

:)

-JB

[Warren Stupidity]

9. Why? Baucus We Can!

[endless october]

10. why is this all about Baucus and Snowe?

it ought to be about regular Americans.

but i guess regular Americans haven't donated enough money to lobbying for the cause.

probably because they are spending it on health care.

[Cleita]

12. It ought to be but it isn't. Baucus was put in charge of the committee that

was put in charge of figuring out health care reform and Snowe sits on that committee. Both are beholden to corporate greed it seems.

[Cleita]

11. That big ribbon tied gift to the private health care industry is what

Baucus's bill is about. It should be scrapped because it's a result of corruption and graft. Baucus and the other Senators who are corporate whores should be investigated for bribery and other corruption. Of course that would be most of them. I wish there was a way to turn off the money spigot, both from our Treasury to the Corporations who give some back to the Senators. You know it all comes out of our pockets.

[PA Democrat]

15. I am sure it was an accident.

It just had to be a mere oversight when the health insurance lobbyists Senator were was drafting the bill. :puke: