An Act Prohibiting Gender As A Rating Factor For Long-term Care Insurance Policies.
Impact
If enacted, this legislation will amend existing statutes to outlaw the practice of considering gender in the calculation of premiums or the rating of long-term care policies. This change will reinforce the commitment to gender equality in the insurance market, aiming to align long-term care insurance more closely with other forms of health insurance where gender considerations are already restricted. This move may attract attention from both supporters advocating for equitable treatment and critics who may warn of potential impacts on the pricing strategies of insurance providers.
Summary
House Bill 5363 seeks to prohibit the use of gender as a rating factor in the underwriting of long-term care insurance policies. The bill's primary objective is to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against based on gender when assessing insurance premiums and coverage eligibility. This change is positioned as a step toward greater equality in insurance practices, affirming that both men and women should have access to fair and equitable long-term care options without the potential for bias linked to their gender.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 5363 may arise from insurance industry stakeholders who express concerns that restricting rating factors could lead to increased premiums for customers as insurers adjust to new constraints. Supporters of the bill argue that such changes are necessary for eliminating discriminatory practices, while opponents might suggest that altering judgment metrics for risk assessment could compromise the sustainability of long-term care insurance product offerings. The contrasting views reflect broader societal discussions about fairness in access to health care and insurance.