Statement from Blair Horner, Vice President for Advocacy, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ, regarding UnitedHealth agreement to make public rate increase documentation.
“If health insurers want to raise premiums, they must justify, in public, why an increase is needed. It’s that simple.
It’s in the best interests of consumers to know why their health insurance may cost them more in the coming year. Disclosure of insurers' rate hike justifications allows consumers the opportunity to provide comment on a proposed rate hike and make informed decisions about plan and benefit selections. For cancer patients, health coverage that is easy to understand is a must.
The American Cancer Society commends UnitedHealth for agreeing to comply with Superintendent Lawsky’s order to make documents regarding its request for a rate increase public. We urge the other health insurers to follow suit.“
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About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.