Ex-Aetna chief criticizes insurance mandate

The recently retired head of health insurer Aetna Inc criticized the individual mandate, and predicted it would not be upheld. In an opinion article published in The Wall Street Journal entitled "Why I No Longer Support the Health Insurance Mandate," Ron Williams, Aetna's former chairman and chief executive, said he now believes "the legislation raises serious constitutional concerns." The former Aetna chief said his initial support for the mandate was as a companion to requirements in the law that insurers cover everyone regardless of health status. "The attitude in the industry is continue to defend the mandate until it's not there, and then we'll worry about what we're going to advocate for," said Robert Laszewski, who consults for health insurers as president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates.