WASHINGTON, DC (May 29, 2018): The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) – a coalition of employers, insurers, life science companies, PBMs, brokers, agents, patient groups, and physician organizations – responded today to a newly unveiled white paper from Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) entitled, “Ideas to Make Health Care Affordable Again.”
In his report, Cassidy – a 2017 recipient of CAHC’s Affordability Champion award – calls for several measures long supported by CAHC including, “expanding the use and usefulness of health savings accounts (HSAs)” and “requiring price transparency.”
Previously this Congress, CAHC endorsed legislation enhancing HSAs by allowing first-dollar coverage of services and medications to help manage chronic conditions and providing greater flexibility for plans to offer first-dollar coverage of services at on-site and retail clinics. Sen. Cassidy also solicited CAHC’s health care cost transparency recommendations, which were communicated in a letter earlier this year. A more narrowly tailored version of these recommendations is reflected in the whitepaper.
Cassidy’s report additionally calls for passage of the Bipartisan Stabilization Act, authored by U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Bill Nelson (D-FL). CAHC found that the legislation, which would shore up the individual market through reinsurance measures and Section 1332 waiver reforms, would stave off premium increases for consumers and advocated for the bill in campaigns directed to both media and lawmakers.
CAHC Executive Director Joel White released the following statement:
“For more than 15 years, CAHC has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to improving health care affordability and we are pleased to see many of our solutions embraced in Senator Cassidy’s report. From expanding HSAs, to increasing competition and transparency, to protecting consumers in the individual market from higher premiums and dwindling choices under the Affordable Care Act – something Congress should have done months ago- Senator Cassidy has outlined a smart set of ideas that deserve careful consideration and, in many cases, quick action on both sides of Capitol Hill,” said CAHC President Joel White. “Senator Cassidy remains a strong ally to CAHC’s members in our efforts to lower the cost of health care for every American. We commend him for offering these recommendations and look forward to our continued work together.”
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.