
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.