State wants pre-existing condition plan left alone

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Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine has asked the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to leave in place the federal program for people with serious health problems, LifeHealthPro reported. In a letter to HHS, Consedine requested the agency continue operating the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). He said the state "continues to diligently fulfill its role as the program administrator, and [HHS] should honor its commitment by paying the full costs" of the program too.

Consedine clarified there haven't been any problems regarding how HHS has been working with Pennsylvania's PCIP through February, when the agency announced it was ending the program. "Everybody we've worked with at HHS is very dedicated," Consedine said.  But he's concerned about shifting PCIP members into the federal program, which would force consumers with chronic conditions to join new provider networks, and face new premiums and deductibles. Article