RIAFP Policy
Brief: 12/01/02
Health Insurance Regulation
State regulation of health insurance plans protects patients from
the occasionally misguided policies of health insurance companies,
which may prevent people from getting the care they need.
State regulation in the health insurance industry can also be excessive,
and can, though well-intentioned, keep insurers out of the market,
thus limiting both access to affordable insurance and the development
of new health insurance or health service delivery options.
With the threat of more insurers leaving the state, the RIAFP requests
our legislators to conduct a formal review of our state's health insurance
regulations. State regulation should both protect the public and increase
competition among health insurers.
We
can be reached by phone at 401-453-4176, or at www.riafp.org.
This is one
in a series of reports designed to advance Family Practice and primary
care in Rhode Island's health care system, as well as to discuss public
health issues of importance to all Rhode Islanders.
We welcome
the opportunity to further discuss the issues presented here. We can
be reached by phone at 401-453-4176, or by email at info@riap.org.
12/16/02
