title: Universal basic benefits preempt mandated benefits.
abstract: Many states seek to expand health care access to uninsured people. As part of their efforts, states must define a basic level of health services to which all residents would have access. Presumably, this level of services would be leaner than that now covered by most health care policies. As it is, private insurers are already mandated by all states to include certain benefits, which differ widely from state to state. However, simple fairness argues that once a state defines a basic level of health services, that level should function as a floor for everyone and replace the previously mandated benefits (which, nonetheless, may be a useful guide in defining a basic level of health services).
authors: Center for Biomedical Ethics, University of Minnesota.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Priester
mesh_terms: D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007342:Insurance Benefits; D007343:Insurance Carriers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012935:Social Justice; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States