California Insurance

A drastic measure, it would be easier for millions of elderly and sicker to obtain and maintain health insurance was approved reluctantly by the New York State Legislative today to ensure it is in force.

The bill would result in an immediate cessation of any proposed increase of more than 1.2 million customers and small group of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, the state health the biggest company insurance. But it would go well beyond that State officials say that New York, the first state to prohibit discrimination in pricing health insurance.

“It is a symbol of the legislation, and it is very gratifying to see that this has been done in New York,” said Salvatore R. Curiale, public insurance Superintendent. “This is the first of its kind in the country, and it goes a long way to address problems of health insurance for small groups.” Coverage Whatever the patient

Just as New York, preparing for the changes, other countries have been taking into account their own actions. Vermont posted a similar bill, it requires companies to accept all applicants, although not go as far as New York, the action for changes in the rate structure. And officials Dir M. Mario Cuomo ‘office said they had received inquiries about New York account a number of other countries, including California and Massachusetts.

The bill, the state has spent this evening, the Senate and the Assembly on Tuesday and is assured, Governor Cuomo signature, no impact on people without health insurance or work for companies with more than 50 collaborators. But ultimately, it is a dramatic impact on more than 2.5 million policyholders, people buy their own individual or family coverage or, for companies of 49 employees or less. Prices are likely to increase

The measure, the effect April 1 sales force, insurance companies, health insurance for all, for such coverage, regardless of the patient, and would prohibit the recruitment of businesses to these customers, based on factors such as age, sex and health status.

Instead, prices are set, as they now insurers for non-profit, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, in the pool risk of a larger group of people. That is why rates for young, healthy people, have fewer doctor bills, it will probably increase, if nobody can say that for many. And insurers say that the new system is severely limit their profits, they threatened to slip in small markets group in New York.

Under the current system, non-profit insurer can not discriminate. But commercial insurance companies are allowed to cover deny that people are sick or terminate coverage if customers suddenly ill and the doctor before huge bills. And they can impose higher prices for customers, smoke, work in areas at high risk or occupations are older and there is a risk that medical care.

The bill, which was badly pushed by Governor Cuomo and the democratic management of the Assembly, was one of the most sensitive and consuming tasks of the meeting of the legislature. There was strong opposition from Senate Republicans, fearful of their failures noisiest opponents - the powerful commercial insurance companies.

Governor Cuomo threatened several times to give Empire’s request to increase rates, unless the Senate agreed that the measure. Faced with this threat, with more than 250000 letters and postcards from groups representing the elderly and the sick, and concerned about the policy Fallout in an election year, if health care is safe remains a major problem, Republicans, and finally said, she would go with the bill.

The final Senate vote was 40 to 18, out of the city rather Republicans against the bill and downstate senators of both parties, where most customers of the Empire are concentrated in charge.

But few Republicans seemed enthusiastic about the measure, and several senators, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Jr. Tarky Lombardi of Syracuse, argued that devastate the progress of commercial insurers.