Program needs objectivity but also insurers' expertise

By Ira Zunin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 18, 2012

~~<p>One of my longtime patients came in and said, "I need all of the medicines I can get right now because I've been laid off and I am losing my insurance at the end of the month. I have no idea when I'll have insurance again."</p>
<p>The Affordable Care Act, the central piece of legislation driving health care reform, calls for the development of health insurance exchanges (HIE) throughout the country. The spirit of the law mandating HIEs is that insurers comply with consumer protections and benefit requirements and compete in a fair and cost-efficient manner. Although HIEs do not themselves provide insurance, they are meant to be the conduit for the expansion of insurance coverage to more Americans. Under federal law, HIEs must be fully certified and operational by Jan. 1, 2014.</p>
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One of my longtime patients came in and said, "I need all of the medicines I can get right now because I've been laid off and I am losing my insurance at the end of the month. I have no idea when I'll have insurance again."

The Affordable Care Act, the central piece of legislation driving health care reform, calls for the development of health insurance exchanges (HIE) throughout the country. The spirit of the law mandating HIEs is that insurers comply with consumer protections and benefit requirements and compete in a fair and cost-efficient manner. Although HIEs do not themselves provide insurance, they are meant to be the conduit for the expansion of insurance coverage to more Americans. Under federal law, HIEs must be fully certified and operational by Jan. 1, 2014. Login for more...