Industry unhappy with latest ACA repeal talks: ‘Making a bad bill worse’
A late night meeting on April 4 between Republicans in Congress and Vice President Mike Pence didn’t result in any new legislative agreement on an alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The potential changes which have leaked out, however, aren’t pleasing healthcare industry officials.
In an effort to sway conservative House Freedom Caucus members—who wouldn’t get behind the American Health Care Act in March—the new proposal would allow states to seek waivers on ACA insurance mandates like its 10 essential health benefits (including hospitalization and outpatient care) and the “community rating.”
This provision prevents insurers from charging enrollees more based on gender or their medical condition. Conservatives want the change, saying it’ll increase consumer choice, but it could also undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions, since insurers would be allowed to charge sick people far high premiums and potentially pricing them out of the market.
“To put it simply, this is making a bad bill worse,” an unnamed healthcare industry official said to the Post, adding that organizations are waiting to see the finished product before weighing in publicly.
According to one House Republican leadership aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Republicans aren’t close to reaching a consensus.
“While we haven’t picked up any votes yet, this concept is already showing signs of losing a ton of them,” the aide told the Post.
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John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.