Health insurers offer another concession

[May 06, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The health insurance industry has offered to end its practice of charging higher premiums to women.

It was the latest concession offered by health insurers as Congress works to overhaul the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system.

The health insurance industry is trying to head off creation of a government insurance plan that would compete with them, something many Democrats favor.

Women are now often charged more than men in the individual market, but officials from America's Health Insurance Plans say that should not be done any longer if all Americans are required to get coverage.

The proposal came as the Senate Finance Committee convened a round-table on covering the uninsured. The industry has previously offered to stop charging more to sick people.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.