Obama asks insurance commissioners for ideas on ACA implementation

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- President Obama Wednesday told insurance commissioners he wants to hear any ideas that would improve implementation of Obamacare, the White House said.

Obama and White House officials met with representatives from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to discuss implementation of the Affordable Care Act and other insurance-related issues, reiterating the administration's commitment to working in close coordination with insurance commissioners who have a critical role to play in protecting consumers, ensuring plan solvency and promoting competitive health insurance markets, the White House said in a statement.

"The president and insurance commissioners also talked about the announcement last week to help smooth the transition to the new system by providing states with the option of allowing insurers to renew existing plans in 2014, and requiring that health plans that offer such renewals provide consumers with clear information about consumer protections lacking in those plans and their options and possible tax credits through the marketplace. States have different populations with unique needs, and it is up to the insurance commissioner and health insurance companies to decide which insurance products can be offered to existing customers next year," the statement said.

"Additionally, the president emphasized that he wants to hear any ideas that insurance commissioners may have as implementation continues to ensure that Americans across the country have the information they need to get affordable, quality coverage for themselves and their families."

In attendance were:

-- Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of health and human services

-- Cecilia Munoz, White House assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council

-- Chris Jennings, White House deputy assistant to the president for health policy and coordinator for health reform

-- Kathryn Ruemmler, assistant to the president and counsel to the president

-- Former Sen. Ben Nelson, chief executive officer, NAIC

-- Jim Donelon, insurance commissioner, Louisiana, and NAIC president

-- Wayne Goodwin, insurance commissioner, North Carolina

-- Thomas Leonardi, insurance commissioner, Connecticut