.jpg)
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National) has reaffirmed its opposition to proposals that encourage insurance sales across state lines. Such proposals would threaten the existing system of state-based insurance regulation, PIA National said.
The proposals are being considered by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) as a method to increase competition and consumer choice. However, PIA National said it opposes any proposal that would create a version of federal insurance regulation. Such regulation could strip states of their authority over health insurance, according to the organization.
“State governors, legislators and regulators know best what will work in their own unique markets,” said Jon Gentile, PIA National vice president of government relations. “Allowing health insurance to be effectively exempt from state regulation by permitting insurers to pick their own regulator in one state – and by doing so, evade the requirements of all 49 other states – would eviscerate local control.”
