HHS cutting high-risk pool premiums

The Hill: HHS To Lower Premiums For High-Risk Pools
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) announced new steps Tuesday to bolster enrollment in insurance pools for sick people, which have come under fire from Republicans after falling short of their enrollment goals. The department announced that it is cutting premiums and easing eligibility criteria for the high-risk pools. HHS administers the high-risk pools in 23 states; the rest are state-run. The department plans to lower premiums in 18 of those 23 states — some by as much as 40 percent (Baker, 5/31).

The Associated Press: Gov't Cuts Rates For Hard-To-Insure Patients
The government says it will cut premiums by up to 40 percent and make other changes to make it easier for people with pre-existing medical conditions to get health insurance. The move Tuesday comes as enrollment in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan continues to lag far behind expectations, often because people can't afford the premiums or find it too hard to meet enrollment requirements. The insurance program is part of President Barack Obama's signature health care law (5/31).

Meanwhile, one state is making a similar move.

Charlotte Observer: N.C. High-Risk Insurance Drops Premiums
The state's high-risk health insurance pool is lowering its premiums, starting July 1. New and renewing members of Inclusive Health, created in 2007 by the N.C. legislature, will get reductions of 1 percent to 22 percent, depending on benefit plans. The lower rates are made possible by a new law that also broadens eligibility for the N.C. Health Insurance Risk Pool (Garloch, 5/31).