State health-plan group gives dire prognosis on Congressional reform plans

The Louisiana Association of Health Plans today warned that residents could end up with higher health care premiums and reduced benefits if Congress’ reform plans become law. “Louisiana health plans have supported comprehensive health care reform since the beginning of the national debate. Our plans have offered significant changes that include creating greater access to coverage by dropping the use of pre-existing condition provisions,” says Gil Dupré, CEO for LAHP, adding that current proposals would add to the cost of coverage for working families and individuals. The association held a conference call this morning to air its views and take questions, although no listeners presented any. If Senate reforms move ahead, the association says premiums in Louisiana could increase 49% in the individual market and 28% in the small group market over 10 years, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation and others. Dupré says the reason for the projected premium jump is that “current legislation relies on tax increases and benefits cuts rather than ways to reduce health care costs.”