WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Some U.S. health insurers say they will stop writing policies for children in light of new regulations that bar rejection based on pre-existing conditions.

Anthem Blue Cross and Aetna Inc., citing "potentially huge and unexpected costs for insuring children," are just two of the companies that will stop offering child-only policies as soon as Thursday, when portions of President Obama's new healthcare law go into effect, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.


An estimated half-million children in the United States currently without insurance could be affected by the companies' actions, as they will no longer be able to find child-only policies should they seek them in the future.

"Unfortunately, this has created an un-level competitive environment," Anthem Blue Cross, California's largest for-profit insurer, said in a statement indicating its intention to "suspend the sale of child-only policies" Thursday, the Times said.

Lawmakers and healthcare advocates were enraged by the news, saying it will only put more strain on already overburdened public programs.

"It's obviously very unfortunate that insurance companies continue to make decisions on the backs of children and families that need their help," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday.