Alliance of Community Health Plans: Community Health Plans Urge Supreme Court to Expedite Texas Vs. United States

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- The Alliance of Community Health Plans issued the following news release:

Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) and Ceci Connolly, President and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), made the following statements on a joint amicus curiae brief filed by the two associations in support of motions by U.S. House of Representatives and several state attorneys general to expedite the matter of Texas v. United States to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The brief notes, in part, "The benefits of awaiting the district court's severability "do-over" are low, but the costs are high... enrollees may be forced to make new life-altering decisions for fear of losing their health insurance. The retired may return to work; those hoping to retire may continue working; and the self-employed may abandon their small-business or entrepreneurial venture in favor of corporate employment--all to ensure coverage security for themselves and their families due to the doubt that festers from the Fifth Circuit's decision.

"To participate on the marketplace exchanges for benefit year 2021, Member Plans must enter into agreements with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in September 2020."

Margaret A. Murray, CEO, Association for Community Affiliated Plans:

"The Fifth Circuit's decision to leave it to a lower court to sort out the consequences of their ruling in Texas v. U.S. will hang a veil of uncertainty over the entirety of the U.S. health care system for years. Confusion swirling around the future of the ACA has already stifled investment and innovation, and placed a damper on competition in the individual market. Consumers are paying the price for this confusion. We support the House and state attorneys general in their efforts to resolve this matter quickly. Their constituents deserve no less."

Ceci Connolly, President and CEO, Alliance of Community Health Plans:

"Despite ongoing instability, our member health organizations have stayed the course and remain fully committed to providing high-quality, affordable coverage and care to families nationwide. Continued uncertainty about the survival of the ACA disrupts the market and makes it more difficult to provide the stable, long-term coverage that Americans deserve. Health plans are already designing the products they'll offer next year -- an expedited review is essential for these organizations to plan appropriately how best to continue serving their communities. We hope for a quick resolution that provides certainty for the stability of health care markets and the well-being of millions of Americans."

The brief, prepared by attorneys at Crowell & Moring LLP, is available in its entirety here (https://achp.org/wp-content/uploads/ACHP-ACAP-Expedite-Texas-V-US-Brief.pdf).

* * *

About ACHP

The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation's top-performing non-profit health plans to improve affordability and outcomes in the health care system. ACHP member companies are provider-aligned health organizations that provide high-quality coverage and care to tens of millions of Americans. They are leading the industry in practical, proven reforms around primary care delivery, value-based payment and data-driven systems improvement.

ACHP advocates on behalf of its members and a unique approach to health care today, one that puts the patient at the center with health plans and clinical teams collaborating to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Our advocacy focuses on providing policymakers with tested solutions being realized in communities nationwide and rooted in a model that is proven to deliver better value for patients, employers and taxpayers. Learn more at the ACHP website and follow us on Twitter for the latest health insights.

About ACAP:

ACAP represents 66 health plans which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.