Sen. Hoeven Issues Statement on Trump Administration State Innovation Waivers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following statement after voting to uphold the Trump administration's guidance on 1332 state innovation waivers, which provide states, including North Dakota with flexibility to offer more affordable health insurance options:

"These waivers give states greater flexibility to provide consumers with more health insurance options, while maintaining requirements for pre-existing conditions.

"The Senate voted to uphold these waivers, which help to lower health insurance premiums and give consumers more options and choice."

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This summer, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved a 1332 State Innovation Waiver for North Dakota, which included the establishment of a state-based reinsurance program. Without the reinsurance program, health insurance rates in North Dakota were expected to increase by over 14 percent in 2020, but with the establishment of the reinsurance program, they are now expected to decrease by 6 percent over the 2019 rates. That means for plan year 2020, in North Dakota, health insurance rates in the individual market will decrease by 20 percent on average.