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A Senate committee on Tuesday hastily approved a bill that would allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health coverage plans to its members.
HB477 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, has been amended 18 times since its introduction in the House, but its latest amendment has been its most divisive as Faulkner got a House committee amendment removed that would subject the health plans to enforcement by the Alabama Department of Insurance.
That enforcement was the main source of contention last week at a public hearing before the Senate Health Banking and Insurance Committee.
Lawmakers on the committee had no debate on the bill Tuesday before quickly approving it 12-2-1, setting it up for a potential floor vote as early as Thursday. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Birmingham, introduced an amendment to further ensure protection for patients with pre-existing conditions, but the amendment was quickly tabled.
“We continue to have grave concerns about the harmful effects SB84 and HB477 would have on Alabamians, especially after the failure of amendments that would have added oversight and patient protections,” said Jane Adams, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Action Network in Alabama. “There’s a reason why these plans are currently illegal. If state lawmakers legalize the sale of substandard health plans, they will leave Alabamians, including cancer patients, exposed to medical and financial harm.
“Farmers and their families need comprehensive health insurance, not look-alike health plans that create a false sense of security for consumers, who may only discover the gaps in coverage when they face a serious illness. The farm bureau takes people’s money when they’re healthy, but doesn’t want to give them access to care when they need it most.”
More than 30 Alabama health care and community organizations signed onto a letter urging legislators to oppose the plans, calling instead for regulated and inclusive options to close Alabama’s health coverage gap.
“Alabamians need real solutions to close the coverage gap—not junk plans that offer little protection when people need it most,” said Debbie Smith, Alabama Arise’s Cover Alabama campaign director. “HB477 would take us in the wrong direction by promoting unregulated plans that can deny coverage and leave families on the hook for devastating medical bills. We urge lawmakers to prioritize comprehensive, affordable coverage that truly meets the needs of our communities.”
The letter, sent earlier this year in opposition to the Senate version of the legislation, provides numerous reasons why these plans would be cause for concern. One notable factor is the plans’ lack of regulation.
“These products would have no oversight from the state Department of Insurance, leaving consumers in the lurch if they have any problems with their coverage,” the groups’ letter said.
The signees encouraged lawmakers to find a better solution to closing Alabama’s coverage gap. Expanding Medicaid would close the coverage gap immediately, but other hybrid options also exist.
“We support innovative efforts to improve health coverage affordability and access, but not if these efforts compromise patients’ ability to receive the care they need,” the letter said. “We ask you to partner with us to champion policies that strengthen access to comprehensive, affordable health care for all Alabamians.”
