House Republicans want insight into MLR rules; Texas seeks waiver

House Republicans want to know if HHS consulted state insurance commissioners when writing MLR rules, while Texas seeks a waiver.

CQ HealthBeat: GOP Lawmakers Ask About HHS, Insurers' Talks On Medical Loss Ratio Rules
House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans asked this week whether the Obama administration consulted with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) when setting rules about how insurers spend their premiums. Under the "medical loss ratio" rule created under the health care law, insurers must pay at least 80 percent of their revenue from premiums for medical care or quality improvement, while the rest can go to administrative expenses. The rule took effect at the beginning of 2011 (Ethridge, 12/8).

Dallas Morning News: Texas Seeks To Delay Federal Rule Setting Medical-Spending Minimums For Insurers
Texas wants to delay a federal rule that requires health insurers to devote at least 80 percent of their premium revenue to medical care, or pay back the difference to consumers. The state's proposal would eliminate just over half of the $482 million in rebates that policyholders could receive over the next three years, according to information sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ... Consumer groups, though, are urging U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to deny Texas' request (Garrett, 12/8).