One State Wants to Gut ACA Consumer Protections

Idaho is going to allow insurers to sell health insurance that does not comply with Affordable Care Act regulations. The Governor signed an executive order in early January, but recent guidance indicates that insurers would be allowed to exclude benefits, like maternity coverage (if at least one state-based plan provides maternity coverage), restore co-pays for preventive care, place a $1 million limit on annual claims, and deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. It is likely there will be a challenge to Idaho’s authority to make such sweeping changes.