Insurance Reform

Insurance 'Reform'Like a faithful old geyser, The Sun seems bent on periodically gushing forth with a call for "insurance reform," with specific attention directed to Baltimore City and other urbanized areas of the state.Regrettably, as usual, the call for reform as articulated in your Jan. 29 editorial reflects little insight as to the problem and its solution (or solutions).The quest of both Gov. Parris Glendening and Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke is a significant reduction in the cost of auto insurance in specified areas of the state.

LONG-AWAITED federal consumer protections for homeowners with private mortgage insurance almost squeaked through Congress in the closing hours before the Memorial Day recess.But for the second time in six months, the House and the Senate headed home without completely resolving this sticky, contentious and expensive issue.For the large number of homeowners who continue to pay premiums of $700 to $1,000 a year or more for mortgage insurance, here's an update on Capitol Hill's not-quite-ready-for-prime-time reforms:Private mortgage insurance -- as distinct from Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

A survey of health insurers covering small employee groups showed that costs per employee increased 3.35 percent last year over 1995, says a report by the state Health Care Access and Cost Commission.Medical costs also increased faster than premiums, growing from 83 percent of premiums to 91.1 percent, the survey found.Because of that, "we expect more premium increases, but how extensive [they will be], we don't know yet," said John M. Colmers, the commission's executive director.The commission was established in 1993 in a state health insurance reform that created a standard benefits package for "small group" policies, those covering between 2 and 50 employees.

Legislation that could potentially save motorists hundreds of dollars annually in insurance premiums is sputtering in the General Assembly.Facing vigorous opposition from trial lawyers, doctors and insurance companies, supporters of Gov. Parris N. Glendening's auto insurance reform bill now rate the proposal's chances as iffy -- chiefly because of lukewarm public support.Baltimore drivers long have felt the pinch of insurance rates that can be two or three times higher than those of their suburban and rural counterparts.

WASHINGTON -- Moving to correct glaring shortcomings of American health insurance, the Senate voted unanimously yesterday to prevent insurers from dropping workers who get sick, or change or lose jobs.The 100-0 vote advances toward almost certain enactment legislation that would represent the first health insurance reform in decades and one of the leading achievements of the Republican-led Congress.A conference committee will shortly begin meeting to reconcile differences with a House-passed version of the measure to produce a final bill that can be sent to President Clinton, who is eager to sign it into law."

Will this be the year of the great auto insurance reform?Don't bet on it. The General Assembly in recent years has repeatedly defeated attempts to abolish "territorial rating" in pricing. Nevertheless, it is both interesting and significant that Gov. Parris N. Glendening chose auto insurance reform as one of his very first initiatives.In a way this is natural. Mr. Glendening's home county, Prince George's, has some of the highest auto insurance rates in Maryland -- after Baltimore City. Since both of those jurisdictions contributed mightily to the governor's slim victory, the least he could do is keep his promise and deal with the auto insurance issue forthwith.

Insurance Reform Hardly Makes DentAutomobile insurance legislation recently signed into law by Gov. Parris N. Glendening was touted . . . as "insurance reform," a label that in my judgment is undeserved.The new law transfers the current Insurance Fraud unit from the Attorney General's office to the Maryland Insurance Administration, assesses new fees on insurance and insurance agents to help pay for the new fraud division (costs which will likely be passed onto consumers), extends competitive rating to automobile insurance and requires Maryland insurers to submit insurance marketing plans for Baltimore city to the state insurance commission.

Efforts to reduce high car insurance costs in Baltimore could yield a significant bonus for drivers elsewhere across the state -- a 10 percent to 20 percent savings in their own car insurance premiums.That is the conclusion of a new study analyzing recommendations made earlier this year by a gubernatorial commission on auto insurance reform. The report presented to the panel yesterday concludes that city drivers could save as much as 24.2 percent on their car insurance if the proposed reforms are adopted.

The California Supreme Court yesterday upheld an insurance reform measure passed by California voters in 1988 that required insurance companies to roll back auto insurance premiums and gave the state insurance commissioner broad powers to control prices and profits.The ruling clears the way for the commissioner to order insurance companies to refund as much as $1 billion to millions of California auto insurance customers.The court decision, which was unanimous, also affirmed the authority of the commissioner to require the 700 insurance companies operating in the state to obtain approval for rate changes for all property and casualty insurance that includes homeowner policies.

Public ServantThe citizens of Baltimore County will lose a superior public servant if they cannot persuade Councilman Donald Mason to change his mind and stand for his council seat in 1994.Don Mason proved his worth in three short years. He has stood firmly for what is correct in his district and the county.Downsizing the cost and increasing the efficiency of government, while still maintaining and improving service to the citizens, is what public service is all about.Don Mason has done his job in the face of opposition to the status quo for the betterment of the county.

We need a public option The issue of national health insurance reform can be accurately explained in complex detail or simply and conceptually. Either way, economists, experts, business leaders, the AARP and most doctors, nurses, hospitals and American citizens agree - reform legislation must be signed into law this year or the economic consequences will be dire for our country, for businesses and for American families. Additionally, real improvements in quality health care, such as prevention, will only come if there's reform.

LONG-AWAITED federal consumer protections for homeowners with private mortgage insurance almost squeaked through Congress in the closing hours before the Memorial Day recess.But for the second time in six months, the House and the Senate headed home without completely resolving this sticky, contentious and expensive issue.For the large number of homeowners who continue to pay premiums of $700 to $1,000 a year or more for mortgage insurance, here's an update on Capitol Hill's not-quite-ready-for-prime-time reforms:Private mortgage insurance -- as distinct from Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

A survey of health insurers covering small employee groups showed that costs per employee increased 3.35 percent last year over 1995, says a report by the state Health Care Access and Cost Commission.Medical costs also increased faster than premiums, growing from 83 percent of premiums to 91.1 percent, the survey found.Because of that, "we expect more premium increases, but how extensive [they will be], we don't know yet," said John M. Colmers, the commission's executive director.The commission was established in 1993 in a state health insurance reform that created a standard benefits package for "small group" policies, those covering between 2 and 50 employees.

WASHINGTON -- Moving to correct glaring shortcomings of American health insurance, the Senate voted unanimously yesterday to prevent insurers from dropping workers who get sick, or change or lose jobs.The 100-0 vote advances toward almost certain enactment legislation that would represent the first health insurance reform in decades and one of the leading achievements of the Republican-led Congress.A conference committee will shortly begin meeting to reconcile differences with a House-passed version of the measure to produce a final bill that can be sent to President Clinton, who is eager to sign it into law."

Legislation that could potentially save motorists hundreds of dollars annually in insurance premiums is sputtering in the General Assembly.Facing vigorous opposition from trial lawyers, doctors and insurance companies, supporters of Gov. Parris N. Glendening's auto insurance reform bill now rate the proposal's chances as iffy -- chiefly because of lukewarm public support.Baltimore drivers long have felt the pinch of insurance rates that can be two or three times higher than those of their suburban and rural counterparts.

Efforts to reduce high car insurance costs in Baltimore could yield a significant bonus for drivers elsewhere across the state -- a 10 percent to 20 percent savings in their own car insurance premiums.That is the conclusion of a new study analyzing recommendations made earlier this year by a gubernatorial commission on auto insurance reform. The report presented to the panel yesterday concludes that city drivers could save as much as 24.2 percent on their car insurance if the proposed reforms are adopted.

Insurance Reform Hardly Makes DentAutomobile insurance legislation recently signed into law by Gov. Parris N. Glendening was touted . . . as "insurance reform," a label that in my judgment is undeserved.The new law transfers the current Insurance Fraud unit from the Attorney General's office to the Maryland Insurance Administration, assesses new fees on insurance and insurance agents to help pay for the new fraud division (costs which will likely be passed onto consumers), extends competitive rating to automobile insurance and requires Maryland insurers to submit insurance marketing plans for Baltimore city to the state insurance commission.

Insurance 'Reform'Like a faithful old geyser, The Sun seems bent on periodically gushing forth with a call for "insurance reform," with specific attention directed to Baltimore City and other urbanized areas of the state.Regrettably, as usual, the call for reform as articulated in your Jan. 29 editorial reflects little insight as to the problem and its solution (or solutions).The quest of both Gov. Parris Glendening and Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke is a significant reduction in the cost of auto insurance in specified areas of the state.

Will this be the year of the great auto insurance reform?Don't bet on it. The General Assembly in recent years has repeatedly defeated attempts to abolish "territorial rating" in pricing. Nevertheless, it is both interesting and significant that Gov. Parris N. Glendening chose auto insurance reform as one of his very first initiatives.In a way this is natural. Mr. Glendening's home county, Prince George's, has some of the highest auto insurance rates in Maryland -- after Baltimore City. Since both of those jurisdictions contributed mightily to the governor's slim victory, the least he could do is keep his promise and deal with the auto insurance issue forthwith.

The California Supreme Court yesterday upheld an insurance reform measure passed by California voters in 1988 that required insurance companies to roll back auto insurance premiums and gave the state insurance commissioner broad powers to control prices and profits.The ruling clears the way for the commissioner to order insurance companies to refund as much as $1 billion to millions of California auto insurance customers.The court decision, which was unanimous, also affirmed the authority of the commissioner to require the 700 insurance companies operating in the state to obtain approval for rate changes for all property and casualty insurance that includes homeowner policies.