Debbie Dingell: “this bill extends Federal grant funding for State high risk pools first authorized under the Trade Adjustment Assistance…”

“this bill extends Federal grant funding for State high risk pools first authorized under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2005. High risk pools provide coverage for those who are otherwise medically uninsurable, for example, individuals with preexisting conditions or catastrophic illnesses such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. Today, 32 States operate high risk pools but these pools are far from an ideal solution. Many pools exclude coverage for certain benefits such as prescription drugs or maternity care. Other pools have waiting lists or closed enrollment. Still others exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. Because of these limitations, Congress established parameters around eligibility for Federal grant funding of high risk pools. The intent was to ensure that Federal funding was used to improve access and coverage under these pools. Unfortunately, in the first round of grants, half of the States that received funding used the money solely to lower insurance company assessments that fund high risk pools rather than to actually improve the pools for individual beneficiaries. I am particularly pleased that H.R. 3204 includes bonus grants for supplemental consumer benefits. This legislation would require States to use up to 50 percent of their grant funds to improve the risk pools for consumers by lowering premiums, reducing waiting lists, or improving benefits.…”