 (Image: szlea under CC 3.0) |
This is a big error in the healthcare reform bill: now, some health insurance companies are saying that they do not have to cover kids with pre-existing conditions!
That was supposed to be one of the main immediate benefits of the bill. Unfortunately, insurers believe that the language only requires them to cover pre-existing conditions for children already under a family health insurance policy. They still reserve the right to refuse to offer them a health insurance plan altogether, until 2014 (when the guidelines for adults take effect). Basically, their lawyers take the language to mean that if they extend coverage to a child under the age of 19, that coverage must encompass all of their health issues, pre-existing or otherwise; however, they can still deny the child coverage.
While still an improvement, it is a severe disappointment. The Obama administration is currently crafting an executive order with regulations that will clarify the issue, while Congress is working to resolve it.
Tags: children's health insurance, family health insurance, health insurance, healthcare reform, pre-existing conditions
