Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Responds to Majority Leader’s Request, Stresses Importance of Protecting Consumers

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller issued a response to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy outlining Pennsylvania's experience with the Affordable Care Act, strengths of the law, and areas for improvement. In December 2016, Majority Leader McCarthy and other members of United States House of Representatives' Republican leadership requested input and recommendations from governors and insurance commissioners on potential health care reforms under the next administration (see also Pennsylvania Insurance Department).

"It is important to first establish the baseline from which any changes will be made. Today, more people in Pennsylvania and across the country have health insurance than ever before," said Commissioner Miller. "In our commonwealth, more than 1.1 million people are enrolled in the programs established by the Affordable Care Act, many of whom are able to access and afford coverage for the first time. This includes the 670,000 Pennsylvanians who receive health insurance through Medicaid expansion, almost 63,000 of whom were able to access drug and alcohol treatment that is critical to helping patients' recovery as we face an unprecedented public health crisis in the opioid and heroin epidemic."

Commissioner Miller also highlighted the law's ban on lifetime limits and prohibition on exclusions due to pre-existing conditions. These crucial consumer protection aspects of the Affordable Care Act ensure that consumers are able to access robust and comprehensive health insurance coverage that does not put individuals with chronic or catastrophic conditions in dangerous financial positions. Access to free preventive services, which is also included in the law, allows consumers to access regular doctors' visits and screenings that can help manage and identify potential health issues before they become more advanced and costly.

A recent study by the National Center for Health Statistics also found that that the number of people whose families currently struggle to pay medicals bills has declined by 22 percent or by 13 million people over the last five years.

"The ACA is not perfect," said Commissioner Miller. "But as we talk about changes to this baseline, I ask that you ensure they result in progress not regress."

In her response, Commissioner Miller indicated that while she supports providing states more flexibility, it is imperative Congress allow states to maintain much of the existing framework created by the federal health insurance law as part of that flexibility. She highlighted a need for stability and predictability in order to help Pennsylvania's individual market and others around the country.

Keywords for this news article include: Legal Issues, Health Insurance, Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

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