AHA urges action to stabilize 2017 Health Insurance Marketplaces

The AHA today urged Congress to work with the administration to stabilize the public Health Insurance Marketplaces for 2017 to prevent millions of consumers from losing coverage. “More than 11.5 million Americans signed up for 2017 health coverage through the federal and state marketplaces by late December, and the final number is expected to increase when accounting for January enrollments,” the association noted in a statement submitted to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for a hearing on stabilizing the individual health insurance market. “Should the marketplaces collapse, these individuals risk unexpectedly losing health care coverage mid-year.” Specifically, the association recommended that Congress and the administration: continue payment of the cost-sharing reductions; maintain and strengthen the special enrollment periods; maintain and build on recent changes to the risk adjustment program; increase access to coverage through third-party payment of premiums; and support the development of state-level marketplace solutions.