HEALTHCARE/OBAMACARE(ACA)/POLITICS: “When Congress returns to Washington after Labor Day, it will immediately confront a tough question: Can there be bipartisan agreement on fixing the country’s health care system?
The Senate health committee announced Tuesday [8-22-17] that it will hold two back-to-back hearings on health care September 6 and 7. That will be the first time that Republican and Democratic senators officially gather together to examine potential ways to stabilize the Obamacare marketplace. Witnesses are expected to include governors and state insurance commissioners…
One of the panel’s main concerns — that many Americans may have no options on the Obamacare exchange in their area in 2018 — has largely abated. While several large insurers have pulled out of the individual market, others have stepped up to take their place. Only one county in rural Ohio, with fewer than 350 Obamacare enrollees, remains at risk of having no insurer on its exchange next year.
Another key problem, however, remains unresolved. One reason why many insurers are hiking premiums for 2018 and others are fleeing is because the Trump administration won’t commit to continue paying a key Obamacare subsidy. Insurers, along with governors and insurance commissioners, have been pressing the administration to guarantee these cost-sharing reduction payments will be made through 2018. It’s vital to the stability of the market, they say.
President Donald Trump agreed last week to make the August payment, despite earlier threats to end what he calls a bailout for insurers. He has not made a decision on future payments.”
-MJ Lee and Tami Luhby, “Senate to begin bipartisan health care push,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, Aug. 22, 2017 03:55pm