CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–March 2, 2011. A state panel convened by Governor Pat Quinn to guide Illinois’ implementation of national health care reform released its initial recommendations today. The Health Care Reform Implementation Council urged the creation of a health benefit exchange — called for in the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) — through which individuals and small businesses would be able to purchase health coverage at competitive prices. The panel also recommended that state regulators be given the authority to approve or deny health insurance rate increases, and that insurance companies be required to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care for policy holders.
