‘Portability’
As the authors of pending legislation to implement the Kennedy-Kassebaum insurance “portability” law, we take exception to your Oct. 12 article suggesting that Californians will not receive more than the minimum benefits because Democrats are trying to “load up” the issue, in the words of Gov. Pete Wilson’s spokesperson. The issue is quite simple--increased availability of health coverage. The new federal law is supposed to make sure that people who lose their jobs can continue their health coverage. Wilson’s proposal does little more than the minimum federal requirements. If the governor’s proposal is enacted, there will be few choices, and no guarantee of affordability.
The federal law was designed to give states great flexibility in meeting the new requirements, outlining several different options for compliance. Our bills would implement one of those options, to guarantee that health insurers make available a range of products to all Californians who wish to buy coverage.
We want to sit down with Wilson and his representatives to address concerns they have so that our bill is a workable one. But we do not think that the answer lies in allowing health insurance companies to continue to discriminate against people who wish to purchase individual coverage.
MARTIN GALLEGOS
Chairman
Assembly Health Committee
HERSCHEL ROSENTHAL
Chairman
Senate Insurance Committee
Sacramento
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