Many states require insurers to cover myriad services such as cancer screenings and obstetric care. Some also guarantee patients the right to an independent medical review if an insurer denies coverage.
But the standards can vary widely from state to state, a longtime complaint of insurers and some businesses that have to deal with 50 different sets of regulations.
AHIP's Ignagni said Wednesday that the new portable coverage, which the group calls an "essential benefits plan," would make it easier for small businesses and workers to keep their insurance.
"We want to create more-flexible products for small business but that also provide the . . . safety net for workers," she said.
That approach is encouraging, said Amanda Austin, who manages legislative affairs in Washington for the National Federation of Independent Business, an influential group that represents about 300,000 small businesses nationwide.
"There needs to be a discussion about the broad variance of mandates across state lines," Austin said. Like the insurers, NFIB played a key role in defeating Clinton's healthcare plan in the early 1990s.
Many consumer groups, however, see moves to change the state-based system of insurance regulation as a way to weaken the health coverage that residents of states like California now are guaranteed.
The groups also fear that a mandate requiring Americans to get insurance could force people to buy unaffordable coverage unless state or federal authorities can regulate how much insurers charge. AHIP's proposal does not address regulation of premiums.
Several consumer groups sharply attacked the insurance group's plan on Wednesday.
"The health insurance industry's vision of healthcare reform lets them keep charging whatever they want and increase their profits while sticking families and taxpayers with high costs," said Richard Kirsch, national campaign manager for Health Care for America Now.
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noam.levey@latimes.com
