On Monday, the Big “I” submitted a comment letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding a proposal to permit short-term limited duration health insurance plans to last up to one year.

Previously, the Obama Administration had limited such plans to terms of no longer than three months. Resulting from an executive order President Trump issued in 2017, the latest proposal could be finalized as early as this summer. It would return federal rules to the status quo that existed before the Obama Administration amended them in 2016.

In its comment letter, the Big “I” expresses support for state insurance regulation, and for giving state regulators flexibility to make decisions about the health insurance markets unique to their states. The letter specifically notes that virtually all states already have detailed laws and regulations both defining and governing short-term limited duration health insurance sales. These laws and rules vary by state because the health insurance market in each state is different, depending on characteristics such as population and cost of living.

The Big “I” will continue to work with the Trump Administration on efforts to stabilize state health insurance markets and increase consumer access to health insurance.

Jennifer Webb is Big “I” federal government affairs counsel.