Friday, August 22, 1997

Friday, August 22, 1997

Friday, August 22, 1997

Bomer names health pool board

AUSTIN (AP) - A state program meant to make sure Texans have at least one place to turn for health insurance is a step closer to reality.

Insurance Commissioner Elton Bomer named a board to oversee the program Thursday.

Lawmakers ordered the Texas Department of Insurance to organize a Health Insurance Risk Pool to which Texans could turn if they can't otherwise get insurance because of pre-existing health conditions.

The pool must be open for business by Jan. 1, 1998.

"We ... hear almost daily from self-employed people and others who are desperately seeking individual health insurance because of their pre-existing medical conditions," Bomer said. "The new pool offers these individuals hope of enjoying the security of health insurance that most of us take for granted."

People eligible to turn to the pool:

- Will have to have been rejected by at least two traditional insurance companies.

- Can't get coverage without an exclusion for their pre-existing conditions or can't get a policy that doesn't cost more than a policy from the pool.

- Have a pre-existing condition the board deems a factor making them automatically eligible.

The nine-member board will recommend to Bomer how the program should be run, the types of insurance coverages offered and the prices set. Bomer said the board should meet for the first time next month.

Named to the board were:

- Phyllis Gordon, a clinical nurse at University Health System, a teaching-county hospital in San Antonio.

- Former State Rep. John Gavin, a retired insurance agent from Wichita Falls.

- Dr. Robert H. Emmick, Jr., of College Station.

- Kristel Crumpler, a special education teacher's aide from Bowie.

- Gary Cole, of Tyler, president of Combined Underwriters Life Insurance Co.

- Ed Baxter, an insurance consultant of Austin.

- Beth Grice, an insurance actuary of Louisville, Ky.

- Susan Hilton, of Palestine, a medical staff coordinator at Memorial Mother Frances Hospital.

- David Barbutti, an Austin attorney.