from Health Action New Mexico
Deadline for the Governor to Sign Bi-Partisan Legislation Ends April 8th
(ALBUQUERQUE, NM) -- Health Action New Mexico and Consumers Union nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, hit radio airwaves over the weekend with an ad encouraging Governor Martinez to sign the health insurance rate review bill. The policy proposal, which received bi-partisan support during the recent legislative session, will create a more transparent and fair process for reviewing health insurance rate increase requests. Specifically, the bill will provide:
· A stronger standard of review requiring that rates be actuarially sound, reasonable, and not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.
· New criteria for evaluating whether rates are reasonable, including the company’s overall financial picture in New Mexico, compliance with the state’s new loss ratio standards, changes to benefits or plan design, and potential changes in the number of enrollees if the rates are approved.
· Stronger transparency for consumers to help them understand and consider rate hikes, including public disclosure on the New Mexico Insurance Division website of a plain language explanation of the reasons for a rate increase, how much of the premium has been spent on actual medical care for the prior three years, and company financial information, such as surplus and reserves.
· New avenues for consumers to participate in the rate review process, such as a 30-day public comment period on a proposed increase and a right to appeal a decision on rates.
· New protections for consumers insured in individual market “closed blocks” – policies that are no longer being sold. Consumers in these policies are especially hard hit with high increases unless rate review requires broader risk spreading, as this bill would.
The radio ads, airing on stations throughout Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces, encourages New Mexicans to call the Governor and voice their support for the rate review bill. Governor Martinez has until April 8 to take final action on the bill.
Audio of the ad is available via the following link.
http://www.HealthActionNM.org/files/HEALTH_ACTION_NM_RATE_REVIEW_R60_1_.mp3
submitting for Center for Civic Policy: Stephanie Maez Gibson smaezgibson@gmail.com
I didn't vote 4 the governor. But I'm impressed with the great job she is doing.I would like 2 thank U 4 my family.
Posted by: jesse | January 09, 2012 at 06:31 PM