US health insurer commits to continue Obama health reform plan
WASHINGTON Health insurer UnitedHealthcare Monday assured it would continue to offer some of the important provisions in President Barack Obama's landmark 2010 healthcare reforms irrespective of the Supreme Court decision later this month.
In March, the Supreme Court heard arguments over the law's constitutionality and is expected to hand down its decision by June 28.
Obama's healthcare reforms package mandated: Allowing children up to the age of 26 to remain on their parents' health plan, coverage of preventive health services without co-pays, the elimination of lifetime dollar limits on policies, the elimination of rescissions (or retroactive termination of coverage), and the implementation of a clear appeals process.
UnitedHealthcare's voluntary decision will ensure that a large swath of consumers- the company serves over 38 million people - will continue to benefit from some of the more popular elements of Obama's controversial law.
"The protections we are voluntarily extending are good for people's health, promote broader access to quality care and contribute to helping control rising health care costs," said Stephen J. Hemsley, president and CEO of UnitedHealth Group, in a statement.
"These provisions make sense for the people we serve, and it is important to ensure they know these provisions will continue," Hemsley added.
The decision by one of the biggest health insurer to support Obama's healthcare reforms could alter possible political fallout from the court's decision. Should the court strike down the law, the practical impact could be less clear to voters, making the issue less of a galvanizing force for the left.
"I think the company sees the opportunity to score some political points by standing behind these very popular aspects of the law," said Matthew Coffina, an analyst at Morningstar, reported MSNBC.
Coffina pointed out that since the company is already offering these services, as required by law, the costs of providing them has already been incorporated into premium prices.
Source: United States News.Net
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