Guinn names panel to examine health insurance policies

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1999 | 11:46 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn Wednesday named nine people to a task force to determine what basic benefits should be included in every health insurance policy sold in Nevada.

The task force was created by the Legislature after a fight developed over whether insurance companies should be required to include coverage for mental health diseases in their policies.

A compromise was reached requiring policies to cover "severe" mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, major depressive illnesses, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive illnesses. Policies must provide at least 40 days of hospitalization and 40 outpatient visits per year.

The group must also look at the basic health care services that should be available to all Nevadans regardless of their ability to pay and determine how many people are without health insurance.

By Dec. 1, 2000, the committee must make recommendations to the governor and the Legislature.

The committee also must take a look at methods to provide funding to public health clinics to help them provide services to residents.

Guinn appointed Dr. Javaid Anwar, chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Sunrise Hospital; Keith Beagle of the Nevada Association of Health Plans; Randy Capurro, representing Nevada's private health insurance industry; and Anne Cory of the Nevada Women's Lobby.

Others named were Scott Craigie of the Nevada Public Health Foundation; Charlotte Crawford, director of the state Department of Human Resources; Elizabeth Gilbertson of the Culinary Union; Larry Matheis of the Nevada State Medical Association; and Bob Ostrovsky of Nevadans for Affordable Health Care.

Already appointed from the Legislature were Sens. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, and Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, and Assembly members Sheila Leslie, D-Reno; Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas, and Ellen Koivisto, D-Las Vegas.