MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Washington insurance commissioner says you can’t keep old plan

Nov 14, 2013, 12:57 PM | Updated: 1:25 pm

President Obama has bowed to pressure and announced Thursday that insurance companies can continue offering consumers their existing health plans for one more year. But Washington state’s insurance commissioner says he won’t allow it.

Commissioner Mike Kreidler tells KIRO Radio he won’t be allowing insurance companies to extend their old policies that didn’t meet the requirements of federal health care reform.

“I don’t believe this proposal is going to be good for Washingtonians because we have been successful in implementing the Affordable Care Act,” Kreidler says.

An estimated 290,000 Washington residents have received notices that their old insurance policies will be canceled.

Kreidler, a Democrat, says all of them can get better coverage on the new health care exchange. He says at least half of them will qualify for a subsidy to help them pay the premium.

President Obama announced Thursday he would allow insurance companies to keep selling their old plans to people whose policies were going to be cancelled. But that decision requires state approval.

“Even if I were to say they could extend their policies, from a practical standpoint, it is not something that can be implemented successfully without really doing serious harm to the overall market,” Kreidler says.

Kriedler says he is confident most people entering the new insurance marketplace are “going to be very pleased with the choices they have because they have much stronger protections now for out-of-pocket-expenses and coverage.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize up for grabs after $1.1B Mega Millions ticket sold

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $865 million ahead of Wednesday night's drawing.

7 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

9 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

10 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

11 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

11 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

12 hours ago

Washington insurance commissioner says you can’t keep old plan