News

Dr. Michelle Moniz, CHRT policy fellow, in Freep: Dangers of short term health plans for moms, babies

August 9, 2018 | Crain's Detroit

Dr. Michelle MonizIn recent years, the landscape of health insurance in the United States has witnessed significant transformations. One notable development has been the expansion of short-term health insurance plans, a topic that has sparked extensive discussions and debates among policymakers, healthcare professionals, and citizens alike. Today, we’ll examine the potential implications they hold for individuals and the overall healthcare system. 

“Bare bones health insurance plans are about to be more accessible, and this is bad news for Michigan,” writes CHRT Policy Fellow Dr. Michelle Moniz.

“Last week, the Trump administration released a final set of rules on what are known as “short-term health plans.” Set to go into effect on Aug. 10, these rules could create a disaster for many Michigan families, and it is essential that the state take action now to promote health and financial security in our state.”

Short-term health insurance policies were originally designed to address brief lapses in health insurance coverage. They provided limited benefits until health insurance coverage could be secured for the long term. Under the Obama administration, these plans were limited to a maximum of three months and were not renewable. However, recent regulatory changes have expanded the scope of these plans. Now, insurance companies can sell short-term plans that cover an initial period of up to 364 days, and individuals can renew them for up to 36 months in total. In light of these changes, short-term health insurance plans are could last for a much longer period of time.

Concerns have been raised regarding the impact short-term health insurance plans may have on Michigan families. Low premiums may seem appealing at first, but it is essential to consider the consequences. It is important to keep in mind that these plans provide reduced coverage for specific services.

Read The Full Op-Ed

Learn more about CHRT’s four-month health policy fellowship program, which brings together Republican and Democratic policymakers with health services researchers to learn about policy-making, health services research, and the intersection between the two from seasoned experts—and from each other.