Political Quotes

“Among the handful of principles that are fundamental to any true protection for health care consumers, probably the most important is allowing States to continue in their role as the primary regulator of health insurance. It is because of my commitment to preserving existing consumer protections that I am glad to be a cosponsor of the Collins-Nelson amendment. Their amendment recognizes a principle that has been recognized and respected for more than 50 years. In 1945, Congress passed the McCarran-Ferguson Act, a clear acknowledgment by the Federal Government that States are indeed the most appropriate regulators of health insurance. It was acknowledged that States are better able to understand their consumers' needs and concerns. It was determined that States are more responsive, more effective enforcers of consumer protections. As recently as last year, this fact was reaffirmed by the General Accounting Office. GAO testified before the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee saying: In brief, we found that many states have responded to managed care consumers' concerns about access to health care and information disclosure. However, they often differ in their specific approaches, in scope and in form. Wyoming has its own unique set of health care needs and concerns. Every State does. For example, despite our elevation, we don't need the mandate regarding skin cancer that Florida has on the books.”