Health care coverage moving in right direction

Editorials

June 21, 2012

Health care coverage moving in right direction

By The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss Associated Press Thu Jun 21, 2012, 01:26 PM CDT

JACKSON — With D-Day rapidly approaching on the Affordable Health Care Act, the nation’s largest health insurer announced recently that it will keep some parts of the law no matter how it fares in the U.S. Supreme Court.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. said regardless of how the justices rule, it will continue to cover preventive care such as immunizations without charging a co-payment at the doctor’s office. It also will offer dependent coverage for adult children up to age 26 who seek coverage through parental plans, and won’t impose lifetime dollar limits on how much an insurance policy pays out to cover claims.

It’s fair to ask whether these changes are the direct result of the bitterly divisive health care law or public opinion and market forces. Either way, it’s movement in the right direction.

UnitedHealth’s CEO said the company would extend some of the initial provisions of the law because they are good for people’s health, they promote better access to quality care and they help control rising health care costs.

All true, no doubt, but they would have been just as beneficial years ago. A consultant and former insurance executive quoted by The Associated Press in the June 12 Clarion-Ledger called UnitedHealth’s move a “very smart business decision.” That’s partly because none of the provisions will be free to consumers. They will be factored into premium costs.

Still, the changes are positive. The company is bending to what people want, and other insurers undoubtedly will follow its lead. Ultimately, consumers may get what they need most, many coverage options and a wide range of prices.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will pass judgment in coming days on whether the provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires everyone (with some exceptions) to purchase health insurance is constitutional. The justices could uphold the law as is, declare it unconstitutional or reject parts of it and OK other parts.

UnitedHealth’s changes show new law and more government control may not be necessary to correct some of our health care problems after all.

Online:

http://www.clarionledger.com

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