Ruth Ann Minner on Health Care Democratic DE Governor

Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care

Indicate which principles you support regarding health.
• Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
• Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
• Support patients’ right to sue their HMOs.
• Support patients’ right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.

No federal pre-emption of employee health plan regulation.

The Issue

NGA’s Position

The Governors support efforts designed to enable small employers to join together to participate more effectively in the health insurance market. In fact, Governors have taken the lead in facilitating the development of such partnerships and alliances. However, these partnerships must be carefully structured and regulated by state agencies in order to protect consumers and small businesses from fraud and abuse and underinsurance. NGA opposes attempts to expand federal authority under ERISA. The Governors have identified the prevention of such federal legislation in the 107th Congress as a top legislative priority.

States have the primary responsibility for health insurance regulation. Across the nation, Governors are working to protect consumers and patients and to properly regulate the complicated health insurance industry.