Shoring Up the ACA Marketplaces

With the President on vacation and Congress in recess, shoring up the ACA marketplaces is becoming a game of chicken between insurers and the Trump Administration. 

Drew Altman of the Kaiser Family Foundation puts  the ACA stability "crisis" in perspective by looking at how many people will be affected by the rising premiums. Kaiser also  released a report this week which  found that mixed signals from President Trump have created uncertainty "far outside the norm" and led insurers to seek higher premium increases for 2018 than would otherwise have been the case.

Meanwhile, Politico reported this week that Maryland Insurance Commissioner, Al Redmer, Jr., is  considering allowing insurers to file revised ratesassuming the cost-sharing subsidies disappear. Our state is already facing some of the highest premium spikes in the country, with CareFirst seeking to raise rates by more than 50%.  Just yesterday, CMS announced that it would  extend the filing deadline  for health insurance carriers by 3 weeks to Sept. 5th.  This will give insurers uncertain about the future of the marketplaces   more time to make decisions about pricing their plans and may calm the markets.

The Health Insurance Tax (HIT) returns in 2018 and will result in higher premiums, totaling $22 billion for more than 100 million Americans - impacting those who receive insurance through Medicare Advantage and Part D or their employer. Congress still has time to act to prevent the return of this tax.

And finally, on Wednesday, a bipartisan coalition of  health policy leaders called on Congress to strengthen the existing healthcare law with a 5-point proposal to help Americans gain access and stay covered.

News Roundup
  • CMS released their latest map of exchange insurers this week. Only 17 counties, all but three in Nevada, remain without insurers currently enlisted to participate in an Affordable Care Act exchange for 2018.
  • The Big Cities Coalition - comprised of city health commissioners from some of the country's largest metropolitan areas, including Baltimore's Dr. Leana Wen - is asking the Trump administration to reconsider its decision to wind down the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. Ending the program means a $3.5 million dollar loss in federal funding for Baltimore. 
  • Also standing up for Maryland is Attorney General Brian Frosh who, along with  15 other states and the District of Columbia, is pushing the Trump administration to protect nursing home residents' right to sue facilities over alleged abuse, neglect and sexual assault.
Upcoming Events
  • Tuesday, August 15 - The Maryland Insurance Administration will hold a public meeting to assess the need for short-term medical insurance to be sold by non-admitted carriers. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Miller Senate Office Building, Senate Finance Committee Hearing Room, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401. The Administration is soliciting information prior to the meeting. Written testimony should be submitted to shorttermmedicalstudy.mia@maryland.gov. Additional information can be found on the MIA's website.
  • Wednesday, August 23  - Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer, Jr., will hold a meeting in Talbot County to hear from consumers, business owners and regulated entities about changes in the insurance marketplace. Talbot County Community Center's Wye Oak Room, 100028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601. 10:00 AM - Noon for property and casualty insurance, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM for life and health insurance related matters.
We're Hiring!

Consumer Health First (CHF) seeks a visionary leader who is dedicated to the mission of health equity to serve as its Executive Director. This is a unique opportunity to lead Maryland's authoritative and innovative health policy and advocacy organization into its next phase of development in what has become a more challenging environment. Foremost among the attributes CHF will be looking for in its new leader is a true passion for the goal of ensuring that all Marylanders have equitable access to high-quality and affordable health care.

For more information, and to submit an application, please visit our website. 

We Need Your Support - Now More Than Ever

You can help us reach our goal of h igh-quality, comprehensive and affordable health care for all.
  • Or make a DONATION NOW! We at Consumer Health First are working hard every day to address the constant attacks on the ACA. This work is consuming all of our time and resources. We look to you, our partners, to help fund this important work. Thank you!
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