Mark P. Scherzer Health Insurance Law Blog on Lawyers.com

The following letter was submitted to the New York Times on January 20, 2009, in response to an article that appeared on January 19, 2009, "Impact of Paterson's Health Care Plan May be Limited":

To the Editor:

While the positive impacts of Governor Paterson’s plan to extend group insurance coverage to employees’ children up to age 29 may be limited (news article, Jan. 19), the potential negative impact, if the proposal is not modified,  is considerable. 

Since 1992, New York has been one of very few states with community rating.  Small employers are not charged more to insure older workers, women, or people with health problems.  Governor Paterson’s proposal would create a new class of young adults offered reduced premiums based on age, re-introducing rating by risk.  Equity will demand that age distinctions be generalized throughout the market; community rating will unravel and many businesses and their employees will find it harder to afford insurance.

Even small incremental measures that increase coverage deserve support.  But there is no reason to dismantle consumer protections like community rating in the process.

Mark Scherzer

Legislative Counsel

New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage

New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage is a coalition of over 50 voluntary health organizations representing the seriously and chronically ill, the disabled and elderly.