Haughn & Associates, INC.

In a Las Vegas Sun (5/26) op-ed, National Association of Health Underwriters CEO Janet Trautwein wrote that a "May 16 article that first appeared on lasvegassun.com," indicating the federal government would "exempt Nevada's health insurers" from the 20% minimum medical-loss-ratio rule, is "fantastic news for the Silver State's consumers, as the waiver will preserve their insurance choices." At the same time, however, the MLR requirements have "driven insurance carriers from states without waivers. Aetna, for instance, withdrew from Colorado this year because of concerns about its ability to compete and comply with the new rules," and its "22,000 customers were forced to find new coverage." Trautwein emphasized that with "one less insurer competing for Coloradans' business, premiums are sure to rise faster than they otherwise would."