Reuters: "A spokesperson for America's Health Insurance Plans, an industry group for health insurance companies, said the rules did a good job of expanding access for preventive services, while keeping coverage affordable. ... It is unclear what effect the rules will have on insurers, [AHIP's Robert] Zirkelbach said. Eliminating co-payments could shift that cost to the premiums and the expanded coverage also does not apply to all insurance plans. Under the healthcare overhaul law, many 'grandfathered' plans are exempt from the rules." "Only new plans or those that significantly cut benefits or raise costs will be affected, although more and more plans are expected to lose grandfather status each year. Other prevention efforts will go into effect next year. Medicare patients will have access to free prevention services, including annual wellness visits. State Medicaid programs will also cover programs aimed at getting pregnant women to stop smoking" (Lentz, 7/14).

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