Pullouts
Executive Summary
The deadline for Medicare+Choice renewals provided a convenient way for bill opponents to attack the private insurance approach. Louisiana Democrat Rep. John said: "Today the last Medicare+Choice HMO servicing the seventh district of Louisiana announced they are pulling out." Connecticut Democrat Rep. DeLauro reported a similar June 28 announcement: "Today I was notified by an insurance company that offers Medicare+Choice HMO coverage to seniors in Connecticut that they are no longer going to be able to offer them coverage." Rhode Island Democrat Rep. Weygand had the hottest news from the cutback front: "Just 45 minutes ago, Mr. Speaker, I received this letter from United HealthCare of Rhode Island that proved that very same point. They are pulling out of Bristol County, Rhode Island, and telling all of their subscribers they will no longer have coverage at the end of the year. This is what this plan will do for our seniors with regard to prescription drugs"
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