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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2017
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515

 

STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON HOUSE V. PRICE

WASHINGTON—Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), made the following statement on the announcement that the Trump Administration would seek a 90-day delay in its appeal of House v. Price:

“We are pleased that the government has not dropped its appeal in House v. Price, and that at least for the time being cost-sharing reductions will continue, albeit through a 90-day stay.

“Cost-sharing reduction subsidies are essentially a passthrough from health plans to consumers who qualify for cost-sharing reductions through Marketplace plans owing to low incomes. More than 85 percent of Marketplace consumers benefited from such subsidies, which are estimated to be up to $7 billion in 2017, or up to 15 percent of premium.

“While we’re pleased with that the Administration has not dropped its appeal, insurers are still receiving conflicting signals from the Administration and Congress about the fate of the CSR payments for 2017 and 2018, irrespective of this case.

“This uncertainty is destabilizing the market and leading health plans to raise their rates for 2018 to account for the political risk brought on by Congress and the Administration through a protracted debate over the fate of these reimbursements. The deadline for insurers to file to offer Marketplace coverage in 2018 is in about a month. Continuing uncertainty will lead to higher premiums, lower competition, and fewer choices for consumers.

“It’s time to calm the waters of the Marketplace. Congress can do this by appropriating funding for CSRs.”

About ACAP
ACAP represents 60 nonprofit Safety Net Health Plans in 29 states, which collectively serve more nearly seventeen million people enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other public health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.

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