Issues Contributing To Ohio's Uninsured Rate Examined

The Akron Beacon Journal on Tuesday examined how lapses inhealth insurance, pre-existing conditions and chronic illnesses arecontributing to Ohio'suninsured rate. According to the Beacon Journal, 1.4 million, orabout one in eight, people in the state are uninsured. According to the BeaconJournal, 56% of Ohioresidents have a chronic health condition.

State Rep. Jim Raussen (R) said, "If you are healthy in the state of Ohio and you have apretty decent job, health care coverage is affordable," adding,"Where do we get in trouble? Chronic illnesses and pre-existingconditions."

While residents' coverage cannot be canceled because of their illnesses,insurers legally can deny coverage based on health histories of people whoseinsurance has lapsed for more than 62 days, which can present problems forpeople who lose their jobs. Even people who switch jobs are at risk forallowing their coverage to lapse because some companies require individuals tobe employed at least 90 days before they can qualify for health benefits. Inaddition, once an employee becomes eligible for new group insurance, insurerscan deny coverage based on pre-existing or treatment of prior chronic healthconditions for up to 12 months.

The state's Healthcare Coverage Initiative -- a task force developed by Gov.Ted Strickland (D) -- will soon release recommendations that aim to address theissues. The recommendations are expected to include a health care coveragemandate for individuals ages 19 to 29; requiring insurers to offer coverage toeveryone, regardless of pre-existing conditions; extending COBRA benefitsbeyond the current 18 months; and helping small businesses offeremployer-sponsored health coverage (Wheeler, Akron Beacon Journal,6/24).

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