Discrimination by Insurers Likely Even With Reform, Experts Say

Economic Pressure Could Give Rise to New Biases Against Prior Conditions

Any health-care overhaul that Congress and President Obama enact is likely to have as its centerpiece a fundamental reform: Insurers would not be allowed to reject individuals or charge them higher premiums based on their medical history.

But simply banning medical discrimination would not necessarily remove it from the equation, economists and health-care analysts say.

If insurers are prohibited from openly rejecting people with ... Full Story »

Posted by Fabrice Florin - via Tom Friedman, Patrick Ruffini, Huffington Post (Health Care)
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Posted by: Posted by Fabrice Florin - Oct 3, 2009 - 10:18 PM PDT
Content Type: Article
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Edited by: Fabrice Florin - Oct 4, 2009 - 11:48 AM PDT

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Fabrice Florin
3.8
by Fabrice Florin - Oct. 4, 2009

Thoughtful report about the likelihood that insurance companies could still cherry-pick who they insure, despite the health care bill's proposed ban on discrimination. This article provides good factual evidence, citing a number of health care experts to identify possible loopholes that insurers might use to get around any new regulations.

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Norman Rogers
1.4
by Norman Rogers - Dec. 12, 2009

The real problem is that not rejecting people for preexisting conditions is an economic impossibility unless there is only one insurance company (i.e. national health). The reasons are obvious and that this is never mentioned by the media is a symptom of a lack of critical analysis.

See Full Review » (6 answers)
Kristine Trickey
4.2
by Kristine Trickey - Oct. 4, 2009

During a time where any article pertaining to the health care reform revolve around the happenings in the White House, this article is a breath of fresh air. It was a very interesting look into what actions the health insurance companies may do in order to continue to "cherry-pick" their customers. Altogether, I genuinely enjoyed this article. I felt that the author put a lot of time and dedication into creating it. It was well-sourced and thought provoking. I definitely agreed and understood many of his points: no matter what the White House may do, the agencies will find their own ways to drive away the sick and bring in the healthy.

See Full Review » (19 answers)

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