[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17068]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               OBAMACARE

  (Mr. CRAMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, Wayne and Leann Buchholz operate a ranch 
near Rhame, North Dakota. They have never been active in politics, but 
a recent letter from their insurance company has changed all of that, 
for their letter informed them that they would be losing their health 
care coverage due to the excessive regulations of ObamaCare.
  Mr. Speaker, 36,000 North Dakotans are receiving similar cancellation 
notices, similar to that of Wayne and Leann. Each of these figures on 
this poster represents over 1,200 North Dakotans just like Wayne and 
Leann.
  On the other hand, only 30 North Dakotans have been able to sign up 
for ObamaCare through the first month--not 30,000, not 3,000, not even 
300, Mr. Speaker--30. Each figure on this part of the graphic 
represents one North Dakotan able to sign up.
  Mr. Speaker, in North Dakota, like much of America, a man's word is 
his bond. We must help the President make good on his promise and pass 
the Keep Your Health Plan Act tomorrow.

                                             IHC Health Solutions,


                                   Independence Holding Group,

                                  Phoenix, AZ, September 30, 2013.
     Re Companion Life Insurance Company, Discontinuance of your 
         Coverage, Contract Amendment to extend coverage until 
         April 1, 2014


 IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS AFFECTS YOUR INSURANCE CONTRACT RIGHTS. PLEASE 
                            READ CAREFULLY.

       Dear Leann C. Buchholz: This notice is to inform you that 
     Companion Life Insurance Company (``Companion Life'') will be 
     exiting the individual major medical insurance market in 
     North Dakota effective March 31, 2014 at midnight. This 
     decision was prompted by the increased regulation since the 
     federal government's passage of its recent federal health 
     care reform, commonly referred to as the Patient Protection 
     Affordable Care Act (``PPACA''). The increased regulation 
     will make it difficult for Companion Life to continue to 
     operate and compete meaningfully in North Dakota's individual 
     major medical market. As such, your referenced insurance 
     coverage will terminate on your first premium due date on or 
     after our March 31, 2014 market exit (date reflected above), 
     or earlier if your premium is not received when due.
       Your current coverage with Companion Life has an annual 
     anniversary date on or after December 31, 2013 but before 
     March 31, 2014. Typically, you would receive a renewal notice 
     from us prior to this date with an offer to renew with new 
     rates. However, since we are exiting the market, we cannot 
     offer you a renewal on a PPACA compliant major medical 
     product in calendar year 2014. Instead, we will extend your 
     current coverage from your policy anniversary date until your 
     premium due date on or after March 31, 2014. This coverage 
     will be provided at your current rate. Please find enclosed 
     an amendatory endorsement to include with your current 
     insurance contract indicating your health insurance 
     coverage's new termination date as of April 1, 2014.
       We are pleased to inform you that there are many options 
     for you to secure health insurance coverage after your 
     coverage termination date with us or prior. You may purchase 
     insurance in the general marketplace or through the Federal 
     Exchange. As brief background for you, PPACA created a new 
     mechanism for purchasing insurance coverage called Exchanges 
     or Marketplaces, which are entities that have been or will be 
     set up in states to create an organized and competitive 
     market for health insurance for qualified individuals and 
     employers, Please go to https://www.healthcare.gov/
 marketplace/individual for information concerning health 
     insurance coverage on the Federal Exchange.
       Please remember that your health insurance with Companion 
     Life is effective until April 1, 2014, as long your premiums 
     are paid through that date. It has been our pleasure to serve 
     as your health insurer, If you have any questions or 
     concerns, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-518-4510 or 
     by email at [email protected]
           Sincerely,
     Companion Life Insurance Company.
                                  ____



                             Companion Life Insurance Company,

                                         Columbia, South Carolina.


                              Amendment 1

       It is understood and agreed that the Policy and Certificate 
     to which this Amendatory Endorsement is attached is amended 
     as follows with respect to Covered/Insured Persons residing 
     in North Dakota as of the effective date of their certificate 
     evidencing their insurance coverage under the Policy:
       Any Renewability or Termination of Insurance provisions of 
     Your Certificate/Policy that indicates that insurance 
     coverage will terminate following 180 days after Our decision 
     to discontinue offering health insurance in the individual 
     market in the state your coverage was issued is amended by 
     adding the following:
       The health insurance coverage for You and any Dependents 
     covered under the Policy will terminate on April 1, 2014. 
     Pursuant to the terms of the Policy, We will continue Your 
     health insurance coverage at the current rates and benefits 
     for Insured/Covered Persons up to this termination date, 
     unless coverage terminates earlier in accordance with the 
     Policy's provisions regarding termination due to the non-
     payment of required premiums when due.
       This Amendatory Endorsement is endorsed and made part of 
     the Policy and Certificate to which it is attached as of 
     October 1, 2013.
       This Amendatory Endorsement is subject to all provisions of 
     the Policy which are not in conflict with the provisions of 
     this Amendatory Endorsement. Nothing in this Amendatory 
     Endorsement will be held to vary, alter, waive, or extend any 
     of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements, or 
     limitations of the Policy other than stated above.
       In Witness Whereof, the Insurance Company has caused this 
     Amendatory Endorsement to be signed by its President.
                                          Trescott N. Hinton, Jr.,
     President.

                          ____________________