List date(s) this work was published or aired.
19-Jul-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
How the Obama administration might be trying to limit the purchase of stop loss insurance so that the goals of Health Policy are fulfilled. Increasingly there is concern that the Obama health care law’s requirements on fully insured health insurance plans might result in more small businesses self-insuring and purchasing stop loss insurance as a way to keep their costs down. Yet there are fears that such a trend could undermine Health Policy because self-insured plans are not subject to the law’s greater benefit requirements and consumer protections. This story delves into the policy ramifications of this significant issue as well as examines growing concern on the part of industry and some lawmakers that the administration might try to subject stop loss policies to greater regulation. It also sheds light on growing interest from state and federal regulators in stop loss insurance before Health Policy’s biggest changes kick in in 2014.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Documents used included federal regulatory notices, comment letters from stakeholders, and academic papers examining the issue of businesses self-insuring and purchasing stop loss insurance.
Explain types of human sources used.
Congressional aides, self-insured industry experts, and proponents of greater regulation of stop loss insurance.
Results:
None.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No corrections or clarifications have been run, though we plan to follow up this year on any regulatory efforts the administration might have in mind.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
The Obama health care law has plenty of high-profile issues, but there are dozens more that are under-reported and have a significant influence on how the next few years play out. Focus on those. As with most things involving federal regulation, often there are public notices, comment letters and other documents that are publicly available but take some time and digging to find. The legwork pays off.