"The administration's final rule clarifies that the new continuity of care standards are not intended to preempt existing state laws, and that federal officials will defer to the states' enforcement of such laws, so long as they have 'substantially similar' or 'more stringent' standards.... 39 states and the District of Columbia ... appear to have similar standards to those outlined in the federal rules, although the duration of the protection varies considerably from state to state. Sixteen states arguably have more stringent protections because they extend continuity of care rights to enrollees that have switched to a new health plan."  MORE >>