New health care law traps some in pricey state plans USA Today
The situation troubles Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland because it hurts consumers who have gotten coverage despite high costs.
"The unintended consequence of this important piece of legislation is we're going to effectively penalize the people who have been doing the sacrificing all along," said Holland, who likes the law's expansion of coverage.
People in Oklahoma's pool pay 50% more than standard rates. For a 44-year-old man who doesn't smoke, a high-risk plan with a $500 deductible costs $577 a month.
Participants in California's pool, who pay 25% to 37% more than standard rates, are disappointed to learn they can't be in the lower-cost federal program, said program deputy director Jeanie Esajian. "I don't think that was really highlighted in the debate at all," she said.
California and Texas are urging applicants to their state pools to consider waiting for the federal program. Premiums "will be approximately half the rates Texas law requires for the State Pool," warns a letter to applicants.
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