On Friday, the Obama Administration has made a remarkable announcement. It has been announced that as per new health-care law, states would be required to specify as to how many and which benefits they would like to include “essential health benefits” from the broad category outlined by the government.

It is believed that the new health-care law would promote variation in health benefits from state to state. The differences in the health benefits is said to be similar to the current differences in state Medicaid programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The Friday’s announcement by the Obama Administration has attracted criticism from all walks of life. It has been pointed by the Consumer advocates that the proposed plans would lead millions of Americans to ambiguous and less comprehensive insurance.

The representative of employers and insurers has warned that the proposed plans would lead to agitations. Moreover, it is believed that health plans will turn costlier. It is expected that in the coming times, Obama Administration would be shedding more light over the proposed new health-care law.

However, it has been informed that health insurance companies are required to provide benefits to inpatients and outpatient care, emergency services, maternity and childhood care, prescription drugs and preventive screenings. Mental health care, cognitive disorders, vision care for children and substance-abuse treatment are some of the other elements which are required to be covered by the health insurance companies.

While commenting upon the new health-care law, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services said, “The proposal we're putting forward today reflects our commitment to giving states the flexibility they need”.

It has further been informed that all the Americans will be provided with a minimum level of coverage, which at the moment is missing from the country.