EDITORIAL: Stop trying to kill Obamacare
Lawmakers in both parties and both houses must join this sensible effort.
This is not part three of the battle to take down the Affordable Care Act. It is part one of the fight to improve the health-insurance market for working Americans who are not covered at work.
President
Washington Insurance Commissioner
First, end the uncertainty about cost-sharing by the federal government. The president has repeatedly threatened to cut the money to keep deductibles, copays and premiums as low as possible for the working poor. If the federal government stops contributing to "cost-sharing reductions," insurance companies will be left to cover these costs on their own in the short term. Then, Kreidler warns, they will just leave the market, because no business can afford to lose money to support a government program, no matter how worthwhile.
Second, give state insurance commissioners more flexibility to meet the rules of the Affordable Care Act. Negotiations on how to use a flexibility waiver in the program could be challenging, but giving the states some flexibility will help ensure everyone has access to health insurance in every part of the nation.
Third, continue the federal reinsurance pool that companies buy into to spread the risk of having to pay catastrophic claims by their customers when something goes terribly wrong with their health.
Fourth, keep spending money to promote the value of health insurance.
Despite what the president tweets, the Affordable Care Act is working well for many Americans. It could be even better with a few small changes.
Editorial board members are editorial page editor
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