Update on child-only health plans

A few months ago we wrote that the major health insurers were no longer selling new child-only plans. Health insurers have said that they’ll service existing child health policies, but will not issue new ones because of prohibitions against discrimination for pre-existing conditions, and other aspects of the health reform law. POLITICO today has an update, and it seems insurers in 34 states have stopped selling child-only plans.

Thanks to the health reform law, insurers have been barred from discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions since September. They also can no longer set lifetime limits on care, and children can stay on their family health plans until age 26. It’s a shame that while government protection of child health is increasing, insurers are decreasing their commitment to children.