Pediatrician Pam Shaw speaking at the public meeting on health insurance requirements. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)The state of Kansas will need to write standards for health insurance policies as part of the federal health care law. A meeting in Topeka today (WED) focused on the minimum coverage requirements for policies sold in a statewide health insurance exchange. Some advocates argued for more comprehensive benefits, especially for children. Pediatrician Pam Shaw urged adoption of more extensive benefits for vision and dental care.
But the benefit requirements will also affect some employer-subsidized health care. Eric Stafford, with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, says more generous benefits could raise costs.
Governor Sam Brownback has said the state won’t move forward with major provisions of the health care law until after the fall election.