Few sign up for pre-existing condition insurance

By Janet Lavelle
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 8 p.m.

More than half a year after one of the first pieces of federal health care overhaul was launched, a fraction of those eligible have enrolled for coverage in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.

Just 1,588 Californians and about 13,000 people nationwide have signed up for the program that provides subsidized insurance for people with ongoing medical conditions.

An estimated 4 million Americans and 250,000 Californians qualify for the $5 billion, four-year program.

Ending what the Obama Administration called discrimination by insurers against people with such medical problems was a prime goal of the Affordable Care Act.

The insurance program was designed as an interim solution until full health care reform kicks in by 2014, when insurers will be banned from denying coverage to adults with pre-existing conditions.

Consumer advocates generally praise the program and say more people will sign up once they learn about it. But advocates also say relatively high premiums and a requirement that applicants be uninsured for six months puts the program out of reach for many people.

“This program is a lifesaver for a lot of people who can pull together the money for it so they can get the care they need,â€