The summer meeting of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) in Boston featured a July 8 “dialogue” on healthcare reform implementation with representatives of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Commissioners Mary Jo Hudson (OH), Kevin McCarty (FL), Susan Voss (IA), Tom Sullivan (CT), Mike Bertrand (VT), and Brian Webb (NAIC staff) participated.

Commissioner McCarty said that his state is very concerned with the medical loss ratios set by Congress. He said that agents play a very valuable role, especially for the many elderly citizens in Florida, so he is looking for a way to keep agents involved. Commissioner Hudson spoke about the financial challenges the new bill poses for states. She said that state legislators will play a valuable role in establishing the exchanges. Commissioner Sullivan said Connecticut has a healthy competitive market today, so he wants to make sure he implements the reforms without disrupting his market.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is charged under the new healthcare law with its implementation. Many provisions of the law, such as the formation of health insurance exchanges, are left to the states. HHS is relying heavily on the NAIC for help in setting up the exchanges and in defining Medical Loss Ratios (MLRs).

Editor’s Note: PIA National assistant vice president for regulatory affairs David Eppstein davidep@pianet.org attended the NCOIL summer meeting representing PIA.

July 13, 2010