National Health Council Statement on CMS Proposed Rule on Market Stabilization

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The National Health Council issued the following statement by Chief Executive Officer Marc Boutin on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed rule on market stabilization:

"Putting patients first should be the priority in all current health care reform efforts. We appreciate the Administration's efforts to stabilize the health insurance marketplace. However, as reform moves forward, the impact on patients, especially those with chronic diseases and disabilities, should be a factor considered in these changes.

"Without access to fair, affordable health insurance, those who need it the most could be negatively impacted by narrowing insurance offerings.

"We are currently reviewing the proposed rule and look forward to providing substantive comments and continuing our work with Congress and the Administration to put patients first."

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