Georgia Senate Approves Bill That Would Create Web Site To Allow Comparison Of Health Insurance Policies

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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The Georgia Senate on Thursday voted 42-12 to approve a bill (SB 404) that would create a Web site to allow consumers and business owners to compare and purchase health insurance products, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The bill, called the Georgia Health Marketplace Act, would allow people to compare deductibles, copayments, benefits and premiums. In addition, they could purchase a plan using pre-tax dollars.

The site would sell five different portable insurance plans:

• A traditional health insurance plan;
  
  
• A plan for businesses with fewer than 50 employees;
  
  
• PeachCare for children, which is the state's version of SCHIP;
  
  
• A plan where consumers purchase coverage directly from medical providers; and
  
  
• A catastrophic care plan for 18- to 25-year-olds.

The bill also would allow consumers to set up health savings accounts. In addition, the legislation would require insurance companies to cover some tests that are mandated by state law, such as prostate antigen tests, ovarian and colorectal cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, mammograms and Pap tests. Another provision would require insurance companies that offer catastrophic coverage to provide at least one plan that covers all of the state's mandated health benefits.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said, "We're trying to create a solution for uninsured Georgians so they have options to purchase health insurance," adding, "The question is how do we get them access to health coverage that will meet their needs at a price they can afford." Some Democrats said that the bill would put residents at risk of being underinsured, and other critics said people might buy plans solely based on cost without looking at benefits. However, Georgia Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R) said that some coverage is better than a comprehensive plan that residents cannot afford (Jacobs, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/7).

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