Ariz. bill on limited health coverage becomes law

Associated Press
The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX - A bill that Gov. Jan Brewer has allowed to become law without her signature permits providers of private health insurance policies for uninsured individuals to omit some coverage normally mandated by the state.

Brewer acted on the bill on June 30 and disclosed her action in a report Thursday.

Supporters say the business-backed bill will help make health insurance less expensive for uninsured people.

Critics argued Arizonans could be hurt by having insurance that doesn't cover things such as treatment for alcoholism.

The state already has a 2006 law allowing "mandate light" policies for small groups of people, such as employees of small businesses.