02/25/2014 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)
Baton Rouge, La. – A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order that bars three insurance companies from refusing premium payments from a program that assists patients with HIV and AIDS. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the two-week restraining order, which affects Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the Louisiana Health Cooperative and Vantage Health Plan, was granted on Monday by U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson.
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of John East, who has Blue Cross insurance with premium payments covered by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, in response to plans by Blue Cross to stop accepting payments from third parties unrelated to the person insured. Other companies also planned to follow the same policy. Jackson cited the risk of death for those who would no longer have insurance coverage in issuing the order.
The judge is quoted as writing in his decision, “Given the severe ramifications to Mr. East and other members of his putative class if their insurance coverage is allowed to lapse, the Court is convinced that this order should be issued, thereby ensuring that the status quo is temporarily maintained.”
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS program is stated to help pay the health care coverage costs of over 2,400 individuals in Louisiana.
This report is provided by Justice News Flash – Baton Rouge Legal News
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