Require health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care

Health care reform bill requires disclosure for health insurers

Updated: Monday, November 9th, 2009 | By Angie Drobnic Holan

Under Democratic plans for health care reform, the government would have broad powers to require health insurance companies to disclose information on patient care to justify any price increases.

The bill that passed the full House on Nov. 7, 2009, gives a Health Choices Commissioner the power to "deny excessive premiums and premium increases," and it says insurers must report "such information as the Commissioner may specify"  and "provide for affordable premiums."

This proposed new authority gives the commissioner the power to find out what health insurers are spending on patient care. So we rate this promise In the Works.

Sources:

U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, HR 3962 - the Affordable Health Care For America Act

U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, HR 3962 - Section by Section

Kaiser Family Foundation, Analysis of Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), accessed Nov. 4, 2009