Haslam, other governors urge Congress to take steps to ‘prevent collapse’ of insurance market
Joining four other governors to testify before the
Haslam and the other governors said that can be done by the federal government continuing to fund cost-share reduction payments that help subsidize insurance for low-income enrollees as well as by creating a short-term reinsurance program for enrollees to limit insurance companies' losses.
Another bipartisan plea from the governors: Provide more flexibility to states.
"All of us --
Alexander is holding the hearings as
After that, Alexander said,
It all comes after
President
At the same time, a number of Obamacare insurers have dropped out of providing health coverage in states across the country. It's a major problem in
Alexander said he hopes to find and pass a temporary patch by the end of September with an eye toward later taking a more comprehensive approach on an issue that has bitterly divided majority
The chairman said he hopes to release a bipartisan bill within 10 days or so.
"Our goal is to get a result in a very short period of time on a 2018 stabilization package that is small, bipartisan and balanced," Alexander said as he convened Thursday's hearing, the second of four hearings planned.
He said he is "looking for a way to get a result and it's easy to discuss extending cost sharing payments." But Alexander said there is "no chance of getting that unless we have some restructuring of the market."
A former governor, Alexander showed particular interest in states pursuing special Section 1332 "innovation" waivers allowed under Obamacare.
According to the
A few states have obtained the waivers. Alexander said the waiver has his interest "because it's already in the law" and he believes restructuring will offer states help.
But Alexander warned that to "get a Republican president and a Republican
The Section 1332 provision currently requires state legislative approval, but Alexander said that to move quickly it could be changed to let governors or insurance commissioners apply.
Alexander pointed to actions taken by
According to a July news release from
Alexander suggested states be able to fund such programs themselves. He urged governors to get back to him with specific ideas on that and other fixes by Wednesday, cautioning that "this train may move through the station" quickly.
Haslam and fellow Republican Govs. Haslam and
"It's time for the federal government to work with us, not against us," Hickenlooper said. "Without your help it's like climbing one of your
He also stressed that "it would be irresponsible to allow these markets to collapse simply because of political paralysis or inaction."
Haslam and the other governors also called for creating the reinsurance program that would limit losses to marketplace insurers. They also are seeking more flexibility to create and oversee insurance plans that are more in synch with individual states' needs.
Chairman Alexander noted that Tennessee Insurance Commissioner
For example,
If
But if lawmakers can forge a bipartisan solution, Alexander said, "we can limit increases in premiums in 2018; continue support for co-pays and deductibles for many low-income families; make certain that health insurance is available in every market and lay the groundwork for future premiums decreases."
According to McPeak's office, an estimated
Contact
___
(c)2017 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
How to make your Hurricane Irma insurance claim go smoothly as possible
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News