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White House allows big firms to dodge health reforms
McDonald's, insurers get waivers to maintain coverage far below the new law's standards
By REED ABELSON

updated 10/6/2010 10:43:08 PM ET

As Obama administration officials put into place the first major wave of changes under the health care legislation, they have tried to defuse stiffening resistance — from companies like McDonald’s and some insurers — by granting dozens of waivers to maintain even minimal coverage far below the new law’s standards.
The waivers have been issued in the last several weeks as part of a broader strategic effort to stave off threats by some health insurers to abandon markets, drop out of the business altogether or refuse to sell certain policies.
Among those that administration officials hoped to mollify with waivers were some big insurers, some smaller employers and McDonald’s, which went so far as to warn that the regulations could force it to strip workers of existing coverage.
At a time when the midterm elections are looming and Republicans have been vocal in campaigning against the law, reaction to the rollout has been closely watched.

To date, the administration has given about 30 insurers, employers and union plans, responsible for covering about one million people, one-year waivers on the new rules that phase out annual limits on coverage for limited-benefit plans, also known as “mini-meds.” Applicants said their premiums would increase significantly, in some cases doubling or more...................>>>>......................>>>>.......................http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39548132/ns/health-the_new_york_times/#

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To date, the administration has given about 30 insurers, employers and union plans, responsible for covering about one million people, one-year waivers