Reeves Vetoes Health Insurance Bills That Experts, Watchdogs Say Would Help Consumers

Gov. Tate Reeves last week vetoed two health care bills that passed the Legislature with bipartisan support that health professionals say could improve health care.

Senate Bill 2622 would speed up the pre-approval process, which insurance companies used to tell providers that a drug or procedure is covered for certain patients. Reeves said that while the bill itself is a "good idea," he pointed out flaws in the language, saying administrative hearings are "in the wrong place in the bill" and that it would increase Medicaid costs if they were the reasons. . To veto.

Senate Bill 2224 would have given state Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney the authority to study and address disparities in insurance payment rates, which Reeves said is a "bad idea." The commissioner can fine insurers up to $10,000 per violation if they fail to explain how different hospitals are billed for the same procedures.

"This allows us to put sunlight and unlock transparency on the blue shield of the Blue Cross," Chaney said. "We're trying to find out where all the money goes, they say, 'We don't have to tell you.'

That became a major problem last year when the state's largest hospital, a children's hospital and only transplant center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, went out of network with the state's largest private insurer, Blue Cross. The dispute between the two arose over the payment rate of the insurance company.

Blue Cross did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In his veto letter, Reeves said he believes the bills will increase health care costs.

Shelby Wilsher, Reeves' publicist, said when asked if the governor had data to back up his claims, his understanding that the bills would raise health care costs was based on "basic economics."

"If the cost of providing services increases, those increases will be passed on to the consumer," she said. "The bills include more expensive co-payments, excessive penalties and mandatory rate increases that will drive up the cost of health insurance.

It's unclear how a bill that would speed up the pretrial process would increase costs.

Mississippi Hospital Association Executive Director Tim Moore was baffled by Reeves' claims.

Where is the data to support claims of higher health care costs? "I don't see," he said. Ironically, these two health care bills were rejected first.

Chaney advocated on behalf of consumers when UMMC went out of network with Blue Cross. He said that he left his child's mouth to monitor the equality of compensation for the four starters and the impact on consumers, and that this Loy Awright Done project in the commissioner's office is more than a feeling in a formal contract.

"I have to say that a conservative veto is a very bad idea because it hurts consumers and health care providers," he said.

The bill would require Chaney to enact rules and regulations, collect data on how insurance companies bill different providers for services that are currently unavailable or unfair, and study how to treat consumers under their plans.

Blue Cross pays Tennessee providers a higher rate, even though Mississippi consumers pay the same premium, Chaney said.

"BCBS operates these premiums and policies at the lowest premium rates in Mississippi," he said. Blue Cross does not provide us with this information. It's very simple."

A study by consulting firm Milliman estimates that, on average, Mississippi is reimbursed by commercial insurance companies at the lowest rate in the country compared to Medicare.

Additionally, consumer advocates say Blue Cross of Mississippi had the financial resources to pass the savings on to consumers, but was unable to do so. According to a Mississippi Today investigation last year, the company collected about $750 million in profits from regulators and requirements, perhaps the highest percentage of any Blue Cross company nationally.

As for the flaws in SB 2622, Reeves points to Angela Ladner, executive director of the Mississippi Psychiatric Society and Mississippi Oncology Society, failing to cite more than one specific flaw.

"When you say something is wrong, you have to be specific about what you're talking about," she said. "I'm not sure there were many mistakes in terms of content. The insurance department worked hard to make sure the bill was in the format everyone agreed on and that's why it came out."

And while the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved it, it's unclear whether lawmakers will try to override the veto, which requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Sen. Democrat Hope Bryan, who represents Amory and is the chairman of the Public Health Committee, said he was not aware of any mitigation efforts and could not understand why the governor would oppose the bills.

Leah Smith, spokeswoman for Gov. Letton. Senate Majority Leader Delbert Houseman said Monday that his office continues to review the veto letters.

House Speaker Philip Gunn did not respond to requests for this story.

Wilcher said in an email that the governor's office is hopeful that the Legislature will be able to amend the revised prior authorization bill.

"Unfortunately, health plans and insurers are victims of a powerful campaign to save money from the patients they should be serving," Ladner said.

In the year In 2022, the most recent data available, Blue Cross spent a total of $82,000 on lobbyists.

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