The Federal Financial Forum

Federal regulators received a slew of requests for changes to their proposed “grandfathering” rules before the comment period ended at midnight on Monday.

The provision is important because it exempts healthcare plans from certain costly requirements of the healthcare reform law, including cost-sharing restrictions and new minimum benefit standards. While healthcare providers in general have been pressing for tight restrictions — they stand to benefit from the more generous coverage provided under the new law — insurers and business groups argue that flexibility will prevent people from losing their coverage.

Key employer groups say HHS went beyond its statutory authority in issuing rules setting criteria for revoking a plan’s grandfathered status under the health reform law. Both the National Federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce suggested the rules may lack legal standing, and NFIB also said the department based its criteria on “sweeping and invidious generalizations” about policyholders.

August 11, 2010 Wednesday 10:56 AM EST

HHS’s Final Rule on Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Program Sent to House

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 — The House Energy and Commerce Committee has received an executive branch communication from Department of Health and Human Services.

 The program manager at the HHS has transmitted, pursuant to law, [5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A)], the Department’s ”Major” final rule – Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Program.