Association and short-term plans - the latest hell
The Administration continues to foist "solutions" to all the horror and misery that comes from increasing access to care. The latest comes in the form of "association" and "short-term" health plans.
These kinds of plans are not new, having existed in some form for over 20 years. They were specifically designed to provide health coverage with a limited scope: either for groups under the banner of an "association" or for a short time frame, usually 90 days. Because of this limited scope, these plans can circumvent some of the protections outlined in the Affordable Care Act, including the requirement to cover essential health benefits
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But their use is becoming more prevalent following an October executive order through which the administration sought to broaden people's ability to purchase these plans. The real question is how will states respond to this order, as each state has its own regulatory framework for what constitutes an association or short-term plan. Illinois does not, in fact, allow for the sale of short-term.
As for association plans, the federal Department of Labor has opened a public comment period on proposed rules to expand their use.
Will Illinois pursue similar a path? Stay tuned.
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