24-Hour Health Coverage Draws Industry Fire
An amendment introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. to require “24-hour health coverage”* has drawn industry fire, according to an article, Another Health Care Amendment Draws P&C Industry Fire, by Arthur D. Postal.
In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, which was not expected to take up the amendment today, the p&c industry argues that, “the amendment would upend the systems now in place to protect injured workers, drivers and passengers.”
The insurers added that the 24-hour coverage concept “would destroy the healthy and competitive auto insurance marketplace.”
According to a lobbyist for the American Insurance Association, the amendment is not likely to be taken up by the committee, although it has been officially filed.
In a bulletin to members, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America said the work on language in the legislation in the Senate panel was supposed to be completed this week, but “the markup could very well slip into next week and potentially beyond.”
The letter, delivered to all members of the Senate Finance Committee was signed by:
- American Insurance Association
- Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers
- Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America
- National Association of Health Underwriters
- National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
- Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
* Twenty-four hour health coverage typically refers to a coordinated system of health care delivery, whereby a person receives all medical care for injuries and illnesses from a single health care provider.
