Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran joined top law enforcement officers from more than three dozen states Wednesday to call on Congress to defeat a bill to streamline the health insurance industry.
“Passage of [U.S.] Senate Bill 1955 will harm consumers both physically and financially,” Curran said. “Many of the state-mandated benefits provide preventive and/or diagnostic [care] and their elimination will result in many consumers having more serious health problems in the future.”
The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2006, which has received the blessing of the Senate?s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, would require streamlining of small business health plans under federal guidelines. Insurers would be required to offer coverage and benefits according to a compendium produced by the Secretary of Labor, regardless of state mandates.
State Sen. Paula Hollinger, D-Baltimore County, said the proposal was another Republican attempt “to give people the cheapest thing out there.”
“It?s very hard to say, ?Early diagnosis is key and we can take care of you,? and then tell patients, ?We can?t give you the screenings,? ”
said Hollinger, who is also running for Congress in Maryland?s 3rd District. “If the state doesn?t want to do that, then that should be its decision, not the federal government?s.”
Maryland law mandates coverage of preventive health screenings, including mammograms and child wellness exams, as well as coverage of diabetes equipment.
