According the poll:
According to CAHI, health insurance prices are rising, and this is partly caused by state imposed health insurance mandates. While mandates make health insurance more comprehensive, they also make it more expensive because mandates require insurers to pay for care consumers previously funded out of their own pockets. CAHI has identified 1,853 state-imposed health insurance mandates across America.
In addition, several states have passed guaranteed issue legislation, which requires insurers to accept anyone who applies regardless of health status. Every state that has imposed guaranteed issue in its individual market has seen its health insurance premiums rise significantly and insurers leave the state.
These mandates and guaranteed issue make health insurance unaffordable for millions of Americans, disproportionately affecting lower-income workers and minorities, who have less access to employer-provided coverage. As a result, minorities and low-income workers want more health insurance options. According to this poll:
Interestingly, Republicans and higher-income workers are more likely to be opposed.
Current laws prohibit individuals from buying health insurance across state lines. Rather, they must buy what has been approved in their own state.
“States must lower the cost of health insurance and reduce the number of uninsured by giving their citizens access to a wide range of affordable health policies without all the mandates and restrictions,” stated CAHI Director Dr. Merrill Matthews. “If they refuse, then Congress needs to take action to ensure that all Americans have other options. Judging by the results of this poll, Congress has the support to do just that.”
