HHS Must Review Coverage in Exchanges, Editorial States
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that the creation of state health insurance exchanges under the federal health reform law raises a "vexing, politically charged question: What health benefits should insurance companies that participate in the state exchanges be required to cover?" The editorial notes that the Obama administration recently announced that it would give states flexibility in determining their own "essential health benefits" package. It adds that such an approach "will be successful only if the [HHS] secretary reviews each state's essential health benefits package and holds each state accountable for coverage."
- "Obama Risks Race to Bottom for Health Benefits" (Sacramento Bee, 12/27/11).