By Ron Bachman
The Daily Caller
03/12/10
Gov. Sonny Perdue is showing the way on how states can implement cross-state selling of individual health insurance. States can voluntarily enter into reciprocity agreements with like-minded states. Together they can create a multi-state market attractive to insurers selling new lower cost comprehensive products.
Nationally, the cross-state concept has been accepted by Republicans and Democrats as a good starting point for bipartisan reform. Studies have shown that up to 12 million Americans would become insured with effective national legislation for cross-state selling. But, while Congress debates, Gov. Perdue creates. His push for free-market insurance reform is embodied in House Bill 1184 (key contact Rep. Matt Ramsey) and Senate Bill 407 (key contact Sen. Judson Hill). Both bills are making their way through the legislative process. The slight differences will likely be ironed out when the two bills are merged.
Both cross-state bills have two major components. First, the legislation promotes a unilateral acceptance of comprehensive individual health policies from other states. As a show of good faith, Georgia would accept individual health policies approved in other selected states without the requirement that they accept policies approved in Georgia. Certain minimum standards and consumer protections are required before accepting such policies.
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