Rep. Smucker Isuses Statement on Problem Solvers Caucus Reaching Bipartisan Agreement on Health Care
"While the
"The system is broken - that hasn't changed in the last seven months - but simply letting American families' health care collapse would be catastrophic and unacceptable. Just this year, residents of the
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The bipartisan priorities can be found below.
"The last great hope for this country is that
"For too long, health care has been viewed as a fiercely partisan battleground, but the
Problem Solvers Caucus Proposal to Stabilize the Individual Market
To stabilize the individual market and provide some immediate relief, we propose exploring realistic solutions including the following:
1. Bring cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments under the Congressional oversight and appropriations process, but ensure they have mandatory funding. CSR payments are an important part of helping households earning between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level afford to participate in the individual market. Bringing CSR payments under the appropriations process ensures that
2. Create a dedicated stability fund that states can use to reduce premiums and limit losses for providing coverage--especially for those with pre-existing conditions.
3. Adjust the employer mandate by raising the threshold on the requirement for employers to provide insurance under the employer mandate to businesses of 500 employees or more. The current employer mandate places a regulatory burden on smaller employers and acts as a disincentive for many small businesses to grow past 50 employees. Additionally, the definition of "full time" under the employer mandate should indicate that a full-time work week is 40 hours.
4. Repeal the medical device tax. This tax adds a 2.3% sales tax on medical device supplies. The costs of the tax are passed on to consumers and it should be repealed.
5. Provide technical changes and clear guidelines for states that want to innovate on the exchange or enter into regional compacts to improve coverage and create more options for consumers.
* Section 1332 of the ACA allows states to innovate and share in health savings while offering strong plans with all essential health benefits. Some states have begun to experiment in this regard, with great potential for success. However, some technical legislative changes and/or revised HHS guidance may improve attractiveness to additional states.
* Similarly, Section 1333 of the ACA allows states to enter into Health Care Choice Compacts, which allow insurers to sell across state lines in participating states. However, HHS has not yet released regulations on Section 1333. HHS should issue clear guidelines and work with states to spur innovation and bring more choice and competition to the market while protecting consumers.
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