Strong Arm of the Law

[Heathen]

Kucinich Asks Insurers To Testify On Coverage, Costs After Recess

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, has asked leaders from the largest insurers in America to testify in mid-September about the industry's "coverage, costs and claim denials," Reuters reports.

The Ohioan sent letters to Aetna, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint as well as others. "The letter asks the companies' CEOs to testify at a September 17 hearing about 'the nature, cost/benefit, and impact of administrative measures and protocols used by the health insurance industry to determine coverage.' Kucinich, a Democrat, chairs the domestic policy subcommittee of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the House of Representatives. … Last week, other lawmakers in the House and Senate sent requests to major health insurers seeking information about industry practices" (Dixon and Richwine, 8/26).

Roll Call: "'I further request that the testimony put into context anecdotes of claims denials, deferrals, and policy rescissions by insurers,' Kucinich wrote. 'Your testimony should also discuss the adequacy and availability of data on, and government oversight of, the extent and impact of these actions'" (Newmyer, 8/26).