MINNEAPOLIS, November 20, 2008—The two trade groups, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, separately announced support Wednesday for guaranteed coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions—if an enforceable mandate for individual coverage is in effect.

Insurers said they could support health care reform that requires health plans to accept all customers, irrespective of illness or disability. The industry had just one caveat, that Congress had to require that all citizens obtain coverage. 

Without a congressional requirement, insurers said, people will simply wait until they are sick to purchase insurance.

The proposals are likely to affect the debate over universal coverage that is heating up in Washington with the onset of the Obama presidency.

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