CAHI Issues: Health Insurance Options
Health insurance prices are rising, and in some states, it is outrageously expensive - in large part because of the laws and regulations imposed by those states. As a result, uninsured people can't find affordable coverage.
State-imposed health insurance mandates make health insurance more comprehensive, however they also make it more expensive because mandates require insurers to pay for care consumers previously funded out of their own pockets. CAHI has identified 1,853 state-imposed health insurance mandates across America. (Learn more about health insurance mandates.)
In addition, several states have passed guaranteed issue legislation, which requires insurers to accept anyone who applies for a health insurance policy regardless of health status. Every state that has imposed guaranteed issue in its individual market has seen its health insurance premiums rise significantly and insurers leave the state. (Learn more about guaranteed issue.)
These mandates and guaranteed issue make health insurance unaffordable for millions of Americans, disproportionately affecting lower-income workers and minorities, who have less access to employer-provided coverage.
One solution, recently proposed by Representative John Shadegg (R-AZ), is to allow people to buy health insurance that is approved and available to people in other states. Unfortunately, current laws prohibit individuals from buying health insurance across state lines. Rep. Shadegg’s legislation – The Health Care Choice Act (H.R. 2355) – would change that.
CAHI Solutions
States must lower the cost of health insurance and reduce the number of uninsured by giving their citizens access to a wide range of affordable health policies without all the mandates and restrictions. A poll recently conducted by the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) shows that a majority of Americans support allowing people to cross state lines to find cheaper health insurance coverage, if the insurance is state-regulated and approved. Additionally, a majority said they would be likely to purchase a policy across state lines if they were paying very high rates and needed access to more affordable health insurance policies.
Legislative Resources
NEW! Health Care Choice Act Support Letter
The Health Care Choice Act – H.R. 2355
The Health Care Choice Act - Cosponsors
CAHI Letter of Support for H.R. 2355
Dr. Merrill Matthews, director of the Council for Affordable Health Insurance, testimony on the Health Care Choice Act of 2005 before the Subcommittee on Health of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate of H.R. 2355
CAHI's H.R. 2355 Talking Points
CAHI Poll Reveals 72% of Americans Want Health Care Choices: Press Release | Poll Results
What Other Groups Are Saying about H.R. 2355
What People Are Saying about H.R. 2355
Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 2355
For More Information
The Most Affordable Cities for Individuals to Buy Health Insurance - eHealthinsurance Study (June 28, 2005)
“Insuring Healthcare Coverage,” Steve Forbes, September 20, 2004
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