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Consumer Watchdog

Hitches in Mass health insurance mandate

I just got word that Massachusetts is considering delaying several key portions of its mandatory health insurance[Related: CA Legislators Records on H…][Related: Hold Health Insurance Indus…][Related: How Health Insurance Rate R…][Related: CA Legislators Records on H…][Related: Hold Health Insurance Indus…][Related: How Health Insurance Rate R…] law.

The trade publication Business Insurance indicates the $912 maximum penalty for individuals who don’t purchase insurance could be delayed.

The oversight board met yesterday, and its agenda includes a presentation suggesting that high-deductible health plans with no out of pocket caps on what patients can owe (download the presentation here and read more about HDHPs) could pass muster as required health insurance. 

Delaying more severe penalties for patients who can’t afford to buy health insurance is a good idea, although it underscores the problem with requiring people to purchase insurance before making it affordable. Calling HDHPs with no out of pocket caps comprehensive insurance is laugable.

More details when I have them. 

Carmen Balber

Carmen Balber

Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber has been with the organization for nearly two decades. She spent four years directing the group’s Washington, D.C. office where she advocated for key health insurance market reforms that were ultimately enacted into law as part of the Affordable Care Act.

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