NDP Legislation to Protect Health Insurance

Friday May 13, 2005

Halifax – NDP MLA Michele Raymond introduced legislation in the House of Assembly on Friday that would protect individuals from the loss of health insurance in special circumstances like divorce, termination of employment, or death of an insured spouse.

“Life happens,� says Raymond. “Sometimes the protection of health insurance can disappear overnight if someone suddenly loses their job or is separated from a spouse who carries the insurance.�

The NDP bill would allow individuals who lose health insurance coverage to apply for a 30-day extension while they obtain new coverage.

The bill also states that insurance companies cannot penalize individuals for a pre-existing condition if the condition has not been treated in the last six months of the original coverage or the first twelve months of the new coverage.

“When people lose group health coverage after they’ve been on one plan for a long time, they find the can’t get coverage for any condition that came up while they were on the first plan.�

“This legislation saves people from a lot of unnecessary worry when they suddenly lose group health insurance coverage.�

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