NYTimes Argues For Eventual National Standard For "Essential Health Benefits."

The New York Times  (1/2, A20, Subscription Publication) editorializes on the administration's move "to let states define the 'essential health benefits' that must be provided to their citizens under health care reform," arguing that it "could lessen opposition in Republican-led states and increase the chances that they will move ahead on building new health insurance exchanges to comply with the reform law." Noting that "Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has passed those decisions to the states, at least for a two-year transition period in 2014 and 2015," the Times concludes that "federal health officials will need to monitor developments during the transition period to make sure consumers and employers can easily compare the benefit packages offered by private insurers." According to the Times, "In the longer run, it would be better to set a national standard."