User Clip: Sen. Wyden and Azar Finance

WYDEN:

What junk insurance is all about is making sure that insurance companies can charge more for people with preexisting conditions and include arbitrary caps on the amount of care. And in a lot of ways, junk insurance just turns back the clock….So, thus far, Blue Cross of Idaho is the only insurer who's applied to sell the junk plans. And I've got the application here. And it looks all about finding out if people have preexisting conditions so they can discriminate against them, charge them more.

All the questions in Section 5A deal with that issue. Have you been pregnant? Have you been tested for allergies? Has anybody had a claim over $5,000? If an insurer is following the law, banning discrimination against those with preexisting conditions, what are all those questions about?

AZAR:

So, Senator Wyden, I have seen the media reports about the Blue Plan request and the actions in Idaho. I have not yet seen the plan or have received any type of waiver request. I can assure you that close