Obstacles await Sen. Lamar Alexander in bid to stabilize Obamacare health insurance markets
"Timing is a challenge," the
But the calendar is far from the only obstacle senators face in their push to end a seven-year stalemate on health care and inject stability into the individual insurance market after the collapse of
Alexander, who chairs the
They are aiming for a limited, short-term fix that can provide relief from higher premiums for 18 million Americans who don't have employer-based insurance but instead buy individual coverage on one of the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act.
But competing legislation also is in the works.
Republican Sens.
The measure appears to be gaining momentum among
Sen.
Even if Alexander and Murray are able to craft a bipartisan bill that can pass the
House conservatives are still holding out hope that the Affordable Care Act can be repealed. The conservative
What's more, while Alexander and Murray are stressing a unified approach, some partisan divisions were still obvious at this week's hearings.
Several Democratic senators, including
Sen.
"Let's try to give people an exit ramp to get out of the individual market completely," he said.
Despite those headwinds, Alexander and Murray remain optimistic about their efforts.
"I think everyone is looking for a result," Alexander said Thursday after the close of the second of four hearings his committee has scheduled on matter.
Before the first hearing, which was held on Wednesday and featured testimony from top insurance regulators from five states, Alexander held a private meeting between the witnesses and lawmakers to talk about how a consensus can be reached. Thirty-one senators showed up. Two days later, 30 senators attended a private meeting with five governors before they appeared before the panel.
Alexander described the conversations as constructive and said they indicated broad interest in achieving a result.
Murray also was hopeful that a bipartisan deal could be reached to stabilize markets and lower insurance costs.
"The truth is, there (are) actually many
Tennessee Insurance Commissioner
McPeak also testified before the committee back in February. At that hearing, "there was a lot more, I guess, partisan discussion than actual questions," she said. This time, "I felt like members of the
Alexander is pushing to have a bill ready by the end of next week. The legislation likely will focus on improving Obamacare's wavier process so that states will have more flexibility to design and regulate insurance plans. The proposal also is expected to continue the federal cost-sharing funding that enables insurers to provide affordable coverage for low- and moderate-income families.
The state insurance regulators and governors recommended both steps during this week's hearings.
They urged senators to continue the cost-sharing funding for another two or three years, if not permanently. Alexander favors extending it for another year but indicated he is keeping an open mind.
"The reason for the hearings is for me to learn and listen," he said. "I'm going to sit down with
The final two hearings are scheduled for next week.
___
(c)2017 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)
Visit The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) at www.commercialappeal.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
San Diego putting off pain from new pension debt
FMC Issues Notice to Cruise Line Passengers on Hurricane Irma
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News