20 Patient & Consumer Groups: Pass Alexander-Murray and Collins-Nelson Now to Prevent Premium Spikes and Coverage Losses

Today, 20 patient and consumer groups--including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association--urged Congress to act now and pass Alexander-Murray and Collins-Nelson to prevent premium spikes and coverage losses for millions of Americans.

Also, in case you missed it, the health care experts at Oliver Wyman released an analysis yesterday showing that the passage of these proposals would lower premiums by more than 40 percent in the individual market and provide insurance coverage to an additional 3.2 million individuals.

Congress must act now to prevent premium spikes and coverage losses for millions of Americans, say 20 patient and consumer groups

WASHINGTON, D.C., Mar. 13, 2018 -- 20 patient and consumer groups issued the following statement urging Congress to include legislation in the forthcoming omnibus spending bill to steady the health insurance market:

"Congressional leaders must include provisions to stabilize the health insurance market in the March 23rd omnibus government funding bill to prevent millions of Americans from losing health insurance coverage. In the coming months, insurers will set plan rates for 2019 and a shaky marketplace will likely result in premium spikes--putting health insurance out of reach for many patients and families.

Several bipartisan proposals under consideration could preserve and even expand access to affordable health insurance for middle class families. They include cost-sharing reduction policies that could improve affordability for low-income Americans and the creation of a reinsurance program to help keep premiums stable for those with pre-existing conditions. We urge Congress to move swiftly, so that plans on state exchanges can stabilize, and perhaps lower, premiums for the millions of Americans who will turn to the marketplace for coverage next year.

Both parties in Congress have pledged to protect people with pre-existing conditions, but recent regulatory actions taken by the Trump administration to expand association and short-term health plans could undermine existing protections.

Recent data indicates that the number of Americans who are uninsured is on the rise again for the first time since 2008. At the end of 2017, 12.2 percent of U.S. adults lacked health insurance--up from 10.9 percent at the end of 2016, an increase of 3.2 million people.

Quality insurance coverage improves patient outcomes and allows Americans to stay healthy and remain financially secure. The vulnerable communities we represent simply cannot afford to lose access to health insurance that protects their livelihood and wellbeing."

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

Arthritis Foundation

Autism Speaks

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Epilepsy Foundation

Family Voices

Futures Without Violence

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Lutheran Services in America

March of Dimes

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Health Council

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

National Organization for Rare Disorders

National Patient Advocate Foundation

United Way Worldwide

Volunteers of America