Obama & Kreider’s “robust discussion”

Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, along with 40 other state commissioners, met with President Obama to discuss rates for 2015 health-insurance plans. From the Seattle Times,

“Kreidler said he got the clear message that the White House expects commissioners to look “very closely” at rate increases. “I have to worry about that; how that might come into play,” he said.

“Another issue on Kreidler’s mind: Washington’s lawmakers, like those in other states, sometimes require insurers to cover particular conditions — mandates that may not fit with federal requirements. States have been able to establish their own “essential benefits,” but that grace period expires in 2016, when the law calls for moving to a national standard.”