Legislative Spotlight
Welcome to our new Legislative Spotlight feature! Here, we will highlight a healthcare bill that needs our help to either pass or to be defeated. The featured bills will mainly come to us from the state legislatures, but sometimes we will include a federal bill. All of these bills will be of high impact to the chronic and autoimmune communities, and we will be asking you to take action with us in opposition or support.
Bill of the month: Amending the unfair insurance practices act (Pennsylvania HB 853)
This legislation amends the Unfair Insurance Practices Act of July 22, 1974 (P.L.589, No.205), to include health insurers in the list of insurance entities prohibited from practicing unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
A health insurer may not change the coverage provided by their insurance policy outside of the open enrollment period
The unfair practices outlawed by this bill include, but are not limited to, raising premiums, copayments, coinsurance or deductibles, or denying or otherwise failing to provide continued coverage for a health care benefit that the insured already paid for.
The prohibition of unfair practices applies to products, services, procedures, treatments and prescription drugs already covered in the policy elected by the insured.
Imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for violating the Act.
Take ACTION
Readers, this is where you come in! Pennsylvania residents, contact your state senator and representative and let them know know you support the bill. Not a Pennsylvania resident? Reach out to any friends and family that are and urge them to contact their legislators.
In the News:
19 Patient & Physician Groups Applaud Pennsylvania Legislation to Prohibit Unfair Health Plan Changes (Pennsylvanians for Fair Health Coverage)
