Top senator sees both parties blamed if no health compromise
Sen.
Alexander said he wants a bipartisan bill produced by the end of next week. By late September, insurers must decide whether they will sell policies in the government's Healthcare.gov online exchanges in 2018, and he and top panel Democrat
Failure to produce legislation will hurt millions of Americans buying individual insurance who'd face big premium boosts and less competition.
"The blame will be on every one of us, and deservedly so," Alexander said.
Alexander is offering to extend billions in federal subsidies to insurers who reduce out-of-pocket costs for lower-earning customers for a year. In exchange, he wants
Murray said President
"Threading this needle won't be easy," Murray said. "But I do believe an agreement that protects patients and families from higher costs and uncertainty" is possible.
Senators' remarks underscored the differences lawmakers must overcome.
Conservative Sen.
Analysts expect 2018 premium increases to match or exceed the average 25 percent boosts on midlevel plans sold this year on the government's Healthcare.gov online marketplace. Insurers say additional upsurges are possible due to uncertainty over actions by the Trump administration.
In addition, nearly half the nation's roughly 3,000 counties are expected to have only one insurer offering coverage on government insurance exchanges next year.
The payments to insurers cost around
The subsidies are also legally required, but they're the subject of a federal court case over whether
Each of the five state insurance commissioners who testified Wednesday, from states governed by
The states whose insurance commissioners testified ranged from
Hardened partisan positions might be tough to overcome after the two parties fought bitterly all year over the
The chemistry between Trump and
The Hilb Group Names Richard G. Spiro CEO
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News