Image by Flickr user rachel_titiriga

Update October 2: The Post and Courier has a short follow up on the continuing impasse; take a read here.

First reporting September 24: The Post and Courier's top story this morning addresses the fact that as national health care reform takes effect, South Carolina insurance companies, in order to keep premiums low for all policyholders, are refusing to add new individual child-only plans for healthy children.

So, exactly which carriers have suspended these plans? BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina, Carolina Care Plan, United Healthcare and WellPath.

According to the article, "Starting this week, insurance companies are prohibited by law from denying plans to children 19 years old and younger who have pre-existing medical conditions."

Good, that was the point of health care reform, right?

Well, grumpy about this new law and the influx of children who will now be allowed to enroll for insurance, insurance companies are refusing to insure healthy children, whose premiums would help pay toward the cost of those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Seems pretty greedy if you ask me.

Update September 25: The Post and Courier took down the old story and has posted a new one here.