WASHINGTON, DC (October 18, 2017): The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) – a coalition of employers, insurers, brokers, agents, patient groups, and physician organizations – released the following statement today on the draft text of Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray’s (D-WA) individual market stabilization bill:
“CAHC applauds Senators Alexander and Murray for their dedicated work on a real solution that will stabilize markets, protect consumers, and promote state innovation. We have spent months urging Congress to provide states real flexibility under the Affordable Care Act’s 1332 waiver program and to fund the unfunded mandate on private insurers for CSR payments. We are pleased to see this plan does exactly that, but encourage additional reforms to offer consumers help on their cost-sharing obligations, such as by lifting the cap on HSA contributions. The Alexander-Murray proposal is Washington’s best opportunity to date to break the healthcare logjam that, for too long, has trapped patients and their health plans in a maze of uncertainty. While flaws in the ACA remain, Congress must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good and thereby risk missing this opportunity to help their constituents who need it most,” said CAHC President Joel White.
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Background:
The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) is a broad-based alliance with a primary focus: bringing down the cost of health care for all Americans. CAHC promotes policies that lower health costs through increased competition, informed consumers and more choices to help promote access to affordable coverage. Learn more at CAHC.net.