Think maybe we can get Kathleen Sebelius to give up waivers for Lent?
The Department of Health and Human Services shot past the 1,000-waiver mark last week with a batch of 126 on Friday. And while the department continues to insist the number of waivers has actually slowed over the past few months, one can't help but wonder if this growing number of exceptions invalidates the rule.
Many argue – and I think rightfully so – that all of these annual coverage limit exceptions call into question the actual validity of the law, with absolutely no disrespect to my friends in the limited benefits market.
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I often tell my son not to hit his often-overbearing big sister. But she sometimes pushes him too far, and he lashes out. Now, if I told him, "Nevermind, it's OK," after every punch, instead of punishing him, how long do you think it will be until he's wailing on her full time?
Rules are worthless without consequences, and while the old adage declares the "exception makes the rule," in this case the exception is starting to supersede the rule. Personally, I don't agree with the rule to begin with – it threatens to put too many of my friends out of business – but why bother drafting it if you will not enforce it? And if you didn't believe in the provision, why pass it into law?
Unless, as Nancy Pelosi so infamously pointed out, you didn't know it was even in there?
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