Re "State must give on stand-alone vision plans" (Editorials, Sept. 22): The report that Vision Service Plan is threatening to leave California is unfortunate and untimely. This is another great example of the challenges facing Americans in the wake of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Since signed into law in 2010, Californians with Medicare have saved more than $300 million on prescription drugs and approximately 435,000 young adults gained insurance coverage. But what can we expect from the coming insurance exchanges? It is unclear.
The ACA states that vision insurers are excluded as stand-alone plans from the exchanges, but Secretary Kathleen Sebelius passed the final decision to individual states. Providing access to stand-alone benefit plans does not guarantee utilization. At minimum, it begins the process of integrating existing health care plans and services. California should use this opportunity to be a model for the nation and exceed the expectations set by Washington D.C.
-- Roxanna Garcia, Oakland
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