Health overhaul to force changes in employer plans

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Associated Press:

WASHINGTON — Over and over in the health care debate, President Barack Obama said people who like their current coverage would be able to keep it.

But an early draft of an administration regulation estimates that many employers will be forced to make changes to their health plans under the new law. In just three years, a majority of workers — 51 percent — will be in plans subject to new federal requirements, according to midrange projections in the draft.

Republicans said Obama broke his promise. Employer groups were divided.

It's more evidence that the law will raise costs, said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But the Business Roundtable — representing CEOs of major firms — saw encouraging signs of flexibility, though it's withholding final judgment. Some experts believe increased regulation will lead to improved benefits for consumers.

"On the face of it, having consumer protections apply to all insurance plans could be a good thing for employees," said Alex Vachon, an independent health policy consultant. "Technically, it's actually improved coverage."

The types of changes that employers could have to make include offering preventive care without copayments and instituting an appeals process for disputed claims that follows new federal guidelines. The law already requires all health plans to extend coverage to young adult children until they turn 26. Such incremental changes can nudge costs up.

The Obama administration said the draft regulation is an early version undergoing revision. Nonetheless, the leaked document was getting widespread interest Friday in lobbying firms that represent employers and insurance companies and on Capitol Hill.

"What we are getting here is a clear indication that most plans will have to change," said James Gelfand, health policy director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "From an employer's point of view that's a bad thing. These changes, whether or not they're good for consumers, are most certainly accompanied by a cost."

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said it showed that Obama's assurance that Americans would be able to keep the plans they currently have was "a myth" all along.

"Since its passage, Republican arguments against the bill have been repeatedly vindicated, even as the administration's many promises about the bill have been called into question again and again," McConnell said. "So Democrats may have passed this bill, but the debate is far from over."

An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the rules are still being written, said the final version will uphold Obama's promise, accommodating employers' desire for flexibility while protecting consumers from runaway costs.
________

For the record, here's what The One said:

[pinz]

You lie!

[NCTexan]

For the record, here's what The One said:

WestVirginiaRebel!

 

What the heck is the matter with you? What does it matter what he said then?

 

That is history and doesn't matter because we live in the now. (CNN 24/7 News as they see it)

 

Now is now.... and it only matters what he says now!

 

You Conservatives are so mired in the past. You truly fit the stereotype!

[Argyle58]

The truth of the matter is that no one really yet knows what the final effects will be. The law has not yet been fully digested, and no regulations have been issued. The Regulations ("Regs" in parlance) are the rules by which the legislation will be enacted and enforced.

 

Anyone who works with the Tax Code can explain to you how this works. The Commerce Clearing House Federal Tax Reporter is the industry standard reference set to any tax professional, whether an advocate, or Interal Revenue Service employee.

 

The print version of the CCH FTR is 26 volumes.....each containing approximately 10,000 pages. The first two volumes contain the code, or the actual wording of the law.......the other 24 volumes contain the Regs (the IRS's own interpretation of the law) and the implemetation thereof.

 

It should be further noted that the printed version of the CCH FTR is bound in three ring binders....because it has to be updated WEEKLY based on Federal Court interpretations of the Treasury Department's interpretations of the law.

 

And folks wonder why accountants are a little odd. We are actually expected to understand all of this. Sad to say, since the IRS is the final arbitor of the health care law, its interpretation will fall under a similar system.