According to the article “18 States Refuse to Run Insurance Pools for Those With Pre-existing Conditions” by David S. Hilzenrath health care reform may make finding health insurance for the high risk not that much easier.

Eighteen state governments have come out and said they will not administer a program to offer health insurance coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and currently uninsured.  This is forcing the federal government to do the leg work.  Because of the states’ decision the government faces big challenges.

One current issue is a provision to extend temporary relief to those with pre-existing conditions starting this year instead of waiting until 2014 when health care reform should fully be in effect and insurance companies will not be allowed to turn people away or charge higher rates based on health status.  The new law has set aside $5 billion for the high-risk pool to assist in covering these higher risk individuals.  Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebulius, is trying hard to build up state programs and give some relief to the federal government but there is still a ways to go.  Smaller health insurers, such as Vista Health Plans, may be the ones who end up feeling most of the sacrifice.