Governor Jan Brewer singed 32 bills into law Monday, leaving another 136 still under consideration. Among these is the contentious SB 1593, which amends the state's insurance laws to permit health plans from other states to be sold to businesses in Arizona. It does not appear to impact the individual policy market.
Supporters say it increases consumer choice and competition, which would lower the overall cost of insurance. Opponents, however, are deeply troubled by a provision that would allow such plans to evade mandated coverage for items such as cancer care and autism treatments.
Americans For Prosperity Arizona, a conservative free-market group, is urging the Governor to sign the legislation and calling on members and supporters to contact Brewer's office. "Arizona insurance plans are loaded up with expensive mandates," AFPA complains, citing mandates that cover fertility treatments and must be paid for by everyone, even persons unable to have children. This is why many Arizonans "choose" to go without insurance, according to the AFPA Web site.
If only the powerful special-interest disease lobbies would go away! SB 1593, AFPA says, will not only give Zonies access to larger insurance pools, but "members of Arizona’s current disease lobbies will actually see lower premiums, better coverage, and access to better treatments."
Even Republicans were divided over the bill, the Arizona Star reported earlier this month. Rep. Kate Brophy McGee (R-Phoenix) said that the bill is "good news for those who don't want or need that kind of coverage and the costs" that comes with "extra" coverage. People could buy riders to cover "specific conditions."
I don't know how many people plan for cancer or a child with autism and buy policies for these specific reasons. Very few people even bother to buy long-term care coverage, a condition virtually all of us will face if we make it past our mid-70s.
Rep. Peggy Judd, R-Willcox, sees through McGee's argument. “I can guarantee you that an employer is going to pick a policy that is at his best advantage and the lowest cost,” she told the Star. “And the lowest cost is not going to be something that would cover autism.”
If Brewer signs the bill, better plan for the worst for your family. I hear that cancer and autism can be awfully expensive to have.
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