Senate Republicans neglect consumer protections and public notice in health insurance bills

Two GOP-Championed Measures Continue Empowering Insurance Industry

AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate Republicans supported two insurance-related bills with anti-consumer consequences. In a straight party-line vote, Maine Senate Republicans voted in favor of one bill that despite its title, does nothing to set up a health care exchange in Maine. LD 1497, “An Act to Comply with the Health Insurance Exchange Provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” was passed with a vote of 19 – 16.

“This do-nothing bill misses an opportunity for Maine to improve access to health care for Maine people,” said Senator Joe Brannigan of Portland who also serves on the Insurance and Financial Affairs committee. “I guess my Republican colleagues would rather leave these choices to the Feds instead of giving a greater voice to Maine.”

The bill as passed requires fingerprinting and licensing of consumer advocates, or “navigators,” who are supposed to help people obtain affordable health insurance. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce, in its newsletter, called support for the Republican measure “a lost opportunity”.

Under the federal Affordable Care Act, health care exchanges are designed to help small businesses and individuals purchase affordable quality health care. The federal law requires that states either establish their own health insurance exchange or residents of the state will be able to participate in a federal exchange by 2014.

The second measure, LD 1702, “An Act to Correct Inconsistencies and Ambiguities in the Maine Guaranteed Access Reinsurance Association Act” was passed with a vote of 20 – 15.

“It is stunning to me that we are afraid of transparency,” said Senator Phil Bartlett of Gorham. “Handing more power and money to the insurance companies without public oversight flies in the face of what is best for Maine people.”

Under this measure, the Reinsurance Association, as created under Public Law 90, would be allowed to hold meetings without public notice or public transparency and accountability in the Association’s proceedings. The Association has been charged with determining the rate increases for the Reinsurance pool.

“The Republican majority has just handed another opportunity to the insurance companies,” said Margaret Craven of Lewiston. “Now, insurance companies have been given free reign to jack up our insurance rates without any say from Maine people.”

Both bills face additional votes in the House and Senate.