/PRNewswire/ -- Passage of laws requiring insurance providers to cover the costs of colon cancer screenings has stalled over the past two years and advocates are bracing to protect existing legislation in states that currently guarantee access to these lifesaving tests, a coalition of public health associations and medical professional societies reported today. The progress made in passing state-mandated coverage of colon cancer screening tests according to accepted medical guidelines has come to a near halt as state legislatures reconsider their role in the wake of the passage of the federal Affordable Care Act.
Only one state, Hawaii, passed coverage legislation in 2010. Combined with Vermont's legislation passed in 2009, only two states have improved their grade in the past two years as reported by the annual Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card – the slowest improvement since the report card launched seven years ago.
"The facts are clear – in states with laws mandating coverage of colon cancer screening, more people get screened and more lives are saved," said Lisa Paulsen, CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of which the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance is a part. "State legislatures need to move to ensure that everyone who needs colorectal cancer screening has access to it. We know that the prevention or early detection that can result from screening saves lives, and will save health care dollars for the states in the long run."
With the addition of Hawaii in 2010, 23 states and the District of Columbia now require insurance coverage of colonoscopies and other procedures that follow accepted medical guidelines, earning them the grade of "A." Ten other states require varying degrees of coverage, with scores of B, C or D, while 17 states score an "F" for failing to mandate any coverage of the cost of colon cancer screening.
As of September 23, 2010, all new health plans are required to cover colorectal screening tests as part of the Patient's Bill of Rights in the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The coverage rules follow guidelines established by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which require that insurance companies cover some colorectal cancer screening tests for those ages 50-75. However, those guidelines still leave high-risk populations under 50 without coverage options. In addition, grandfathered plans (those existing health plans in which a person was enrolled on the date of enactment of ACA), are not required to cover the tests.
Starting in 2014, as part of the ACA, all plans participating in state exchange programs will be required to provide coverage based on a federally mandated "essential benefits" package. It is expected that the package will also follow the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines – potentially leaving high risk populations that fall outside the guidelines without coverage options.
In the 17 states that currently do not guarantee screening coverage, many people will continue to fall through the cracks unless patient protections are established. In addition, many of the states that currently have guaranteed coverage have benefits that go above and beyond the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines and advocates do not want to see any of those guarantees rolled back.
"We have made tremendous strides in moving states to take action to protect the health and lives of their citizens by ensuring that colorectal cancer screenings are covered for all who need them," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, CEO, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. "While the essential benefits package in the Affordable Care Act will go a long way in 2014 to guarantee coverage, the best way to ensure that everyone who needs screening tests have access to them is for states to continue to enact patient protections and maintain the strong laws they already have in place."
Colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer) is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined in the United States. However, the disease can often be prevented entirely through the early identification and removal of pre-cancerous polyps. When colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the five year survival rate is 90 percent. However, when it is not diagnosed until it has spread to distant organs, the five year survival rate is only 11 percent. In 2010, the American Cancer Society reported that the colorectal cancer death rate has continued to decline. Down approximately 3.9 percent per year in men from 2002 to 2006 and 3.4 percent per year in women from 2001 to 2006, colorectal cancers saw one of the largest declines in death rates of all leading cancers.
Research has shown that regular screening is crucial for all those over 50, as well as those under 50 at increased risk.
Despite widespread awareness about the importance of colon cancer screenings, insurance coverage is still a barrier to screening according to a 2009 survey undertaken by Harris Interactive on behalf of ACS CAN and the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF's NCCRA).
In fact, 70 percent of all survey respondents, including two-in-three (62 percent) of those 50 and older, said that if they knew that their insurance covered the entire cost of colonoscopy, they would be somewhat to much more likely to have the procedure at age 50, or earlier if their doctor recommended.
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Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
How health care reform affects your Medicare enrollment
(ARA) - Health care legislation passed earlier this year may make Medicare annual enrollment season particularly challenging for the millions of baby boomers aging into Medicare and for seniors already enrolled who are considering different coverage for 2011. Annual enrollment runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, allowing people to select their Medicare coverage for 2011.
"Choosing a Medicare plan can be overwhelming in any year," says Adrienne Muralidharan, senior Medicare specialist for the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service for people with disabilities and those 65 and older. "However, this year there are not only the usual changes, such as premium and coverage changes, you also need to understand how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may affect your 2011 Medicare coverage."
According to Muralidharan, the most important ways the new health care legislation will affect Medicare beneficiaries for 2011 include:
* Prescription drug costs should be lower in the "doughnut hole." For 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will receive a 50 percent discount for the cost of brand-name prescription drugs and a 7 percent discount for generic drugs they are taking while in the prescription drug doughnut hole.
* Medicare Part B (medical insurance) will fully cover preventive care. Beginning in 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will no longer have to pay deductibles or co-pays for preventive services that fall under U.S. Preventive Service Task Force guidelines, such as an annual wellness exam.
* More beneficiaries may have higher costs for Medicare Part B and Part D (prescription drug) coverage. The Part B income threshold freezes at the 2010 levels through 2019. As a result, individuals with modified adjusted gross income (income) exceeding $85,000 and married couples with income exceeding $170,000 will have to pay higher premiums. Because this will not adjust with inflation, it's likely more people over time will be subject to higher premiums. In addition, the law reduces the Medicare Part D premium subsidy for individuals with incomes above these levels.
* Opportunities to change coverage after the annual enrollment period will be more limited. Historically, an open enrollment period ran from Jan. 1 through March 31, immediately after annual enrollment ended. During open enrollment, people were able to switch from their existing Medicare plans to similar Medicare coverage, choosing from "like to like" options.
Now, open enrollment has been replaced with a shorter annual disenrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 through Feb. 14. During this period, the only change that can be made is to disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan in order to enroll in traditional Medicare and join a Medicare Part D plan. Other selections will not be available to consumers.
"It's easy to get confused over the various Medicare enrollment periods," Muralidharan says. "However, it's now more important than ever to look at annual enrollment as your main opportunity to choose your coverage."
Reasons to review your medicare coverage
Changes brought on by health care reform are just one reason people should evaluate their Medicare coverage. Each year, individuals with Medicare should consider different health care coverage if they experience any of the following:
* Your health situation has changed in the past year.
* Your provider situation has changed (for example, you hospital or physician left your plan).
* Your coverage has changed (for example, certain drugs, procedures or conditions are no longer covered).
* Your plan premiums and/or co-payments have increased.
* You have moved to a new location.
* Your current plan no longer will be available.
Additionally, people now turning 65 and becoming Medicare-eligible for the first time should carefully review their options - and make certain they follow the enrollment guidelines. Failing to do so can trigger costly penalties and may mean certain coverage is unavailable in the future.
"The choices you make about your Medicare coverage can have a significant effect on your health care and your finances," says Muralidharan. "If you are uncertain about which Medicare plans are available to you, or which would best meet your needs, seek help before enrolling." More information on Medicare plan selection assistance is available at Medicare.Allsup.com or (888) 271-1173.
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"Choosing a Medicare plan can be overwhelming in any year," says Adrienne Muralidharan, senior Medicare specialist for the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service for people with disabilities and those 65 and older. "However, this year there are not only the usual changes, such as premium and coverage changes, you also need to understand how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may affect your 2011 Medicare coverage."
According to Muralidharan, the most important ways the new health care legislation will affect Medicare beneficiaries for 2011 include:
* Prescription drug costs should be lower in the "doughnut hole." For 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will receive a 50 percent discount for the cost of brand-name prescription drugs and a 7 percent discount for generic drugs they are taking while in the prescription drug doughnut hole.
* Medicare Part B (medical insurance) will fully cover preventive care. Beginning in 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will no longer have to pay deductibles or co-pays for preventive services that fall under U.S. Preventive Service Task Force guidelines, such as an annual wellness exam.
* More beneficiaries may have higher costs for Medicare Part B and Part D (prescription drug) coverage. The Part B income threshold freezes at the 2010 levels through 2019. As a result, individuals with modified adjusted gross income (income) exceeding $85,000 and married couples with income exceeding $170,000 will have to pay higher premiums. Because this will not adjust with inflation, it's likely more people over time will be subject to higher premiums. In addition, the law reduces the Medicare Part D premium subsidy for individuals with incomes above these levels.
* Opportunities to change coverage after the annual enrollment period will be more limited. Historically, an open enrollment period ran from Jan. 1 through March 31, immediately after annual enrollment ended. During open enrollment, people were able to switch from their existing Medicare plans to similar Medicare coverage, choosing from "like to like" options.
Now, open enrollment has been replaced with a shorter annual disenrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 through Feb. 14. During this period, the only change that can be made is to disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan in order to enroll in traditional Medicare and join a Medicare Part D plan. Other selections will not be available to consumers.
"It's easy to get confused over the various Medicare enrollment periods," Muralidharan says. "However, it's now more important than ever to look at annual enrollment as your main opportunity to choose your coverage."
Reasons to review your medicare coverage
Changes brought on by health care reform are just one reason people should evaluate their Medicare coverage. Each year, individuals with Medicare should consider different health care coverage if they experience any of the following:
* Your health situation has changed in the past year.
* Your provider situation has changed (for example, you hospital or physician left your plan).
* Your coverage has changed (for example, certain drugs, procedures or conditions are no longer covered).
* Your plan premiums and/or co-payments have increased.
* You have moved to a new location.
* Your current plan no longer will be available.
Additionally, people now turning 65 and becoming Medicare-eligible for the first time should carefully review their options - and make certain they follow the enrollment guidelines. Failing to do so can trigger costly penalties and may mean certain coverage is unavailable in the future.
"The choices you make about your Medicare coverage can have a significant effect on your health care and your finances," says Muralidharan. "If you are uncertain about which Medicare plans are available to you, or which would best meet your needs, seek help before enrolling." More information on Medicare plan selection assistance is available at Medicare.Allsup.com or (888) 271-1173.
-----
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Many Americans Still Confused About New Healthcare Reform Law and its Provisions
/PRNewswire/ -- Not sure what's in--and not in--the new healthcare legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in March? You're not alone. More than 2,100 adults were given a list of 18 reform items and asked to identify what's included and what's not included in the law. Only four items were correctly identified by the majority of those polled.
Most (58 percent) know that the reform package will prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because they are already sick; 55 percent know the law permits children to stay on their parents' insurance plan until age 26; and 52 percent realize that people who don't have insurance will be subject to financial penalties. Additionally, half are aware that employers with more than 50 employees will have to offer their workers affordable insurance.
These are some of the major findings of today's HealthDay/Harris Poll, conducted between July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over).
Among other findings: 82 percent think the bill will result in rationing of health care or that it might (it won't); 79 percent don't know or aren't sure if drug companies will pay an annual fee, (they will); 73 percent don't know the law establishes a new tax on the sale of medical devices; 66 percent don't know or aren't sure if the legislation will result in insurance exchanges where people can shop for insurance, (it will); and 63 percent either aren't sure or don't know if the new law will increase the number of people eligible for Medicaid, (it will).
"The problem for the (Obama) administration is healthcare reform is fiendishly complicated because the healthcare system is fiendishly complicated, and it is not politically feasible to tear up the system and build it again," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the Harris Poll, Harris Interactive's long-running public opinion poll. "Instead you have to build on the system that you have. When you try to build on a fiendishly complicated system, you have fiendishly complicated reforms."
Another cause of the confusion is due to the long and heated political debate that surrounded the bill before it was passed, Taylor said.
"The level of ignorance and misinformation is sort of astounding," he said. "It seems people are still reacting to the rhetoric, not the substance of what is in the bill, because they don't actually know what is or is not in the actual legislation."
For more information, click here to read the full report and methodology. HealthDay's news report is available here. Full data on the poll and its methodology are available at Harris Interactive.
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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Most (58 percent) know that the reform package will prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because they are already sick; 55 percent know the law permits children to stay on their parents' insurance plan until age 26; and 52 percent realize that people who don't have insurance will be subject to financial penalties. Additionally, half are aware that employers with more than 50 employees will have to offer their workers affordable insurance.
These are some of the major findings of today's HealthDay/Harris Poll, conducted between July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over).
Among other findings: 82 percent think the bill will result in rationing of health care or that it might (it won't); 79 percent don't know or aren't sure if drug companies will pay an annual fee, (they will); 73 percent don't know the law establishes a new tax on the sale of medical devices; 66 percent don't know or aren't sure if the legislation will result in insurance exchanges where people can shop for insurance, (it will); and 63 percent either aren't sure or don't know if the new law will increase the number of people eligible for Medicaid, (it will).
"The problem for the (Obama) administration is healthcare reform is fiendishly complicated because the healthcare system is fiendishly complicated, and it is not politically feasible to tear up the system and build it again," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of the Harris Poll, Harris Interactive's long-running public opinion poll. "Instead you have to build on the system that you have. When you try to build on a fiendishly complicated system, you have fiendishly complicated reforms."
Another cause of the confusion is due to the long and heated political debate that surrounded the bill before it was passed, Taylor said.
"The level of ignorance and misinformation is sort of astounding," he said. "It seems people are still reacting to the rhetoric, not the substance of what is in the bill, because they don't actually know what is or is not in the actual legislation."
For more information, click here to read the full report and methodology. HealthDay's news report is available here. Full data on the poll and its methodology are available at Harris Interactive.
TABLE 1
KNOWLEDGE OF ITEMS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN REFORM BILL (PPACA)
"Please indicate if you believe each of the following is included (or
will result from) or is not included (or will not result from) the
health care reform bill that was signed by President Obama in March
of this year. If you don't know, please do not guess but
check "Not sure."
Base: All adults
Is Not
Is Included/ Included/
Will Result Will Not
From Result From Not
Sure
Not allowing insurers to deny
coverage to people % 58 9 34
because they are sick
Allowing children to stay on their
parents' insurance until % 55 9 35
they are 26 years old
Financial penalties for all
individuals who do not have or % 52 9 39
do not buy insurance
All employers with more than 50
employees must offer % 50 9 41
their employees affordable
insurance
Tax credits for small business to
provide insurance to % 43 14 43
their employees
Increasing the number of people who
are eligible for % 37 13 50
Medicaid
Insurance exchanges where people
can shop for % 35 14 52
insurance
A new tax on the sale of medical
devices % 27 13 60
An annual fee to be paid by drug
companies % 21 14 65
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 2
BELIEF THAT ITEMS NOT IN REFORM BILL (PPACA) ARE INCLUDED
"Please indicate if you believe each of the following is included (or
will result from) or is not included (or will not result from) the
health care reform bill that was signed by President Obama in March
of this year. If you don't know, please do not guess but
check "Not sure."
Base: All adults
Is Not
Is Included/ Included/
Will Result Will Not
From Result From Not
Sure
An increase in the federal
government's budget deficit % 45 13 42
Higher income taxes for the middle
class % 37 22 41
All Americans will have health
insurance % 36 29 35
New ways to ration health care % 36 18 46
A new government run health plan
to compete with % 36 22 43
private insurance plans
A cut in Medicare benefits % 33 21 45
Higher tax deductions from
workers' pay % 33 16 50
Panels to decide what care very
sick, older people % 30 26 44
should receive
Illegal aliens will have health
insurance % 28 27 45
Note: Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States July 15 to 19, 2010 among 2,104 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Overriding State Insurance Protections Should Not Be Part of Financial Re-Regulation Package, Writes Consumer Watchdog to Geithner, Frank
/PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Geithner, House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank, and Financial Services Subcommittee Chair Paul Kanjorski today, arguing that legislation intended to undermine state insurance protections (H.R. 2609) is inconsistent with the re-regulatory promise of the financial reform package. The bill will be marked up in the House Financial Services committee today.
"We are at a loss to understand why you have proposed a measure to deregulate the insurance industry by preempting state laws as part of the financial re-regulation package," wrote Consumer Watchdog. "Each version of the bill would restrict the ability of state lawmakers and regulators to protect insurance consumers by granting the Treasury Department and a new Federal Insurance Office the authority to preempt state laws and regulations on prudential matters on behalf of foreign insurance firms."
"This proposal is even more perplexing in light of the strong fight, on the part of both the administration and majority members of the Financial Services committee, to preserve states' ability to protect their citizens during the debate over the Consumer Financial Protection Agency," the letter continued.
As Assistant Treasury Secretary Michael Barr put it to the Washington Post last week:
"'Washington doesn't always know what's best'... He said the administration wanted to restore the right of states 'to protect their citizens with the rules that they think make sense.'"
"If Washington doesn't always know what's best for American consumers, why would you expect foreign diplomats and regulators to know what's best for American insurance policyholders?" asked Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog.
The letter concludes: "Wall Street firms are again riding high a year after the crash, but the rest of the country continues to suffer rising foreclosures, increased unemployment, and a dearth of credit. With American homes, jobs and businesses already on the line, now is hardly the time for Congress to place our insurance policies at risk as well."
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"We are at a loss to understand why you have proposed a measure to deregulate the insurance industry by preempting state laws as part of the financial re-regulation package," wrote Consumer Watchdog. "Each version of the bill would restrict the ability of state lawmakers and regulators to protect insurance consumers by granting the Treasury Department and a new Federal Insurance Office the authority to preempt state laws and regulations on prudential matters on behalf of foreign insurance firms."
"This proposal is even more perplexing in light of the strong fight, on the part of both the administration and majority members of the Financial Services committee, to preserve states' ability to protect their citizens during the debate over the Consumer Financial Protection Agency," the letter continued.
As Assistant Treasury Secretary Michael Barr put it to the Washington Post last week:
"'Washington doesn't always know what's best'... He said the administration wanted to restore the right of states 'to protect their citizens with the rules that they think make sense.'"
"If Washington doesn't always know what's best for American consumers, why would you expect foreign diplomats and regulators to know what's best for American insurance policyholders?" asked Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog.
The letter concludes: "Wall Street firms are again riding high a year after the crash, but the rest of the country continues to suffer rising foreclosures, increased unemployment, and a dearth of credit. With American homes, jobs and businesses already on the line, now is hardly the time for Congress to place our insurance policies at risk as well."
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Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Insurance Deregulation Is Not Financial Reform, Says Consumer Watchdog
/PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog called on Congress to reject legislation allowing the Treasury Department to use international agreements to override state insurance laws, including those requiring insurers to hold enough money to pay all claims. The proposal is under consideration in the U.S. House Financial Services Committee today.
"State insurance regulators made sure that insurance companies had enough money in the bank to pay policyholder claims and weather the financial storm. Congress should not give a political appointee the power to take away that authority on behalf of foreign insurance companies," said Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog. "This bill promotes insurance deregulation as Congress should be strengthening financial service sector regulation."
Download Consumer Watchdog's letter with Public Citizen and US PIRG here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/FedInsOfc10-6-09.pdf
The proposal, a discussion draft amending H.R. 2609 offered by Rep. Kanjorski, would give the Treasury Secretary unilateral new authority to negotiate international insurance agreements on prudential issues, determine if state insurance laws are "inconsistent" with such an agreement, and then preempt those state laws. Safeguards intended to exempt specific state insurance laws from preemption do not go far enough to protect important consumer protections, wrote the groups.
The letter reads: "Never before has the U.S. government allowed a federal agency to unilaterally interpret or enter into international agreements on subject matter under the authority of the legislative branch, and then preempt states through rule-making on the basis that state policies are in contradiction to those agreements."
Consumer Watchdog also objected to the lack of consumer representation on the Financial Services witness panel today.
Rep. Kanjorski offered similar legislation last year, which was pulled back in the wake of AIG's dramatic collapse.
Download Consumer Watchdog's letter opposing last year's legislation here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/HR5840.pdf
Download last year's letter from Public Citizen and US PIRG: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/HR-5840-letter-Consumer.pdf
The groups supported efforts to develop greater federal information and expertise in insurance but noted that the proposed legislation goes far beyond information gathering.
In California, where voters enacted the nation's toughest system of insurance regulation with Proposition 103, consumers are protected from unfair or excessive insurance rates, illegal surcharges and other abusive and discriminatory practices. Any move to federalize insurance regulation would jeopardize these consumer protections, said Consumer Watchdog.
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"State insurance regulators made sure that insurance companies had enough money in the bank to pay policyholder claims and weather the financial storm. Congress should not give a political appointee the power to take away that authority on behalf of foreign insurance companies," said Carmen Balber, Washington Director for Consumer Watchdog. "This bill promotes insurance deregulation as Congress should be strengthening financial service sector regulation."
Download Consumer Watchdog's letter with Public Citizen and US PIRG here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/FedInsOfc10-6-09.pdf
The proposal, a discussion draft amending H.R. 2609 offered by Rep. Kanjorski, would give the Treasury Secretary unilateral new authority to negotiate international insurance agreements on prudential issues, determine if state insurance laws are "inconsistent" with such an agreement, and then preempt those state laws. Safeguards intended to exempt specific state insurance laws from preemption do not go far enough to protect important consumer protections, wrote the groups.
The letter reads: "Never before has the U.S. government allowed a federal agency to unilaterally interpret or enter into international agreements on subject matter under the authority of the legislative branch, and then preempt states through rule-making on the basis that state policies are in contradiction to those agreements."
Consumer Watchdog also objected to the lack of consumer representation on the Financial Services witness panel today.
Rep. Kanjorski offered similar legislation last year, which was pulled back in the wake of AIG's dramatic collapse.
Download Consumer Watchdog's letter opposing last year's legislation here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/HR5840.pdf
Download last year's letter from Public Citizen and US PIRG: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/HR-5840-letter-Consumer.pdf
The groups supported efforts to develop greater federal information and expertise in insurance but noted that the proposed legislation goes far beyond information gathering.
In California, where voters enacted the nation's toughest system of insurance regulation with Proposition 103, consumers are protected from unfair or excessive insurance rates, illegal surcharges and other abusive and discriminatory practices. Any move to federalize insurance regulation would jeopardize these consumer protections, said Consumer Watchdog.
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