Health insurance premiums would rise for some Nebraskans under health care reform legislation making its way through Congress, a report by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska says.
Healthy people ages 25 to 34 are among those who could see their insurance premiums increase, according to the report released this morning by the state's largest insurance provider.
Both the Senate and House bills would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The insurance industry has supported those provision as long as all Americans are required to purchase insurance. The bills have such a requirement, but Blue Cross says there would be problems if there are weak financial penalties for those who don't.
Healthy people would likely choose to opt out and pay the penalty and only get in the insurance pool when they have surgery or other expensive medical problem, Blue Cross says. That could drive up premiums.
Nationally, the insurance industry has raised that same concern.
- Michael O'Connor
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