More than 200,000 people have complained to the federal government this year that they have been switched in health care enrollment or plan and never authorized it.

The switches cost consumers money. Their doctor may no longer be covered. Care they thought that qualified may not be covered. And more.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, and others have proposed a bill with new criminal penalties for brokers and agents who do it. It also requires more notification of customers.

The problem is that the minimal information required to switch a customer makes it easy to do. The requirement is just name, date of birth and state. Switching many customers can add up in commissions. So some agents and brokers have exploited it.

The bill may go nowhere before the November election, but it is the right idea.