Amidst Affordable Care Act Repeal Efforts, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Urges Insurance Coverage Stability

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) released the following statement today urging Congress to maintain stability in insurance coverage for patients with chronic illnesses as the process of considering repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) begins:

"For patients living with chronic illnesses like Crohn's and colitis, healthcare coverage is essential to ensure they receive the care necessary to manage their complicated disease," said Michael Osso, President & CEO of CCFA. "Our patients experience numerous barriers to care – including difficult utilization management protocols and high cost of care. Repealing the Affordable Care Act without simultaneously enacting a replacement would not only increase the barriers our patients have to combat, but it would leave many in limbo without certainty that they would have the insurance they depend on for critical doctor's appointments, medications, medical procedures, and much more. If we are to repeal the Affordable Care Act, it must be done so in a way that provides a replacement that will ensure stability in coverage, maintains the basic patient protections enacted by the law, and prohibits insurer discrimination against patients with chronic diseases."

As Congress considers a repeal of the ACA, CCFA urges that:         

• Stability in coverage be maintained by accompanying any repeal effort with a replacement that meets the needs of the 117 million Americans living with one or more chronic illnesses;
• Discrimination against patients with pre-existing conditions continues to be prohibited;
• Young adults can remain on their parent's insurance until age 26;
• Out-of-pocket spending is limited and lifetime annual caps are prohibited; and
• Insurance coverage meet certain design standards to combat discrimination and ensure that patients have access to the treatments, services, and provider network they need.

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SOURCE Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America