Trump Asks For More Time In Insurer Subsidy Case, Keeping Destabilized Marketplace In Limbo
House Republicans, who filed the suit against the Obama administration, say the subsidies paid to insurers for reducing deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for low-income consumers are unconstitutional because Congress did not specifically authorize the payments.
The New York Times:
Trump Seeks Delay Of Ruling On Health Law Subsidies, Prolonging Uncertainty
The Trump administration asked a federal appeals court on Monday to delay ruling on a lawsuit that could determine whether the government will continue paying subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to health insurance companies for the benefit of low-income people — effectively prolonging uncertainty that is already rattling the health law. The request could further destabilize insurance markets as insurers are developing rates and deciding whether to participate in 2018. (Pear, 5/22)
The Washington Post:
Trump, House GOP Ask Appeals Court To Again Delay Decision On Health-Care Law Provision
The two-paragraph filing said that both parties “continue to discuss measures that would obviate the need” for the court to rule — a reference to Republicans’ efforts to abolish most of the ACA and install more conservative health-care policies. ... The cost-sharing subsidies are one of two major types of assistance the law provides to most people who buy private health plans through the marketplaces. The cost-sharing subsidies, focused on lower-income ACA customers, reach nearly 6 in 10 such people. The other assistance helps cover insurance premiums for more than 8 in 10. (Goldstein, 5/22)
The Hill:
Trump Administration To Continue Funding Insurer Subsidies
The Trump administration could still decide to drop the appeal at any time. According to a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services, the subsidies have been paid for May, but there have been no promises made about whether the payments will continue. (Wexiel, 5/22)
The Wall Street Journal:
White House Seeks Delay In Suit Over Health Law Subsidies
Insurers say they must know within weeks whether the federal payments will continue next year, since they face a June 21 deadline for deciding whether to participate in the exchanges in 2018. “It’s critical that we have certainty for 2018,” said Justine Handelman, senior vice president at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. “Plans are deep in their decision-making for 2018, and if there’s not certainty, you could see a significant impact on premiums, up to 20%, to account for the fact that those cost-sharing payments aren’t there.” (Armour and Radnofsky, 5/22)
The Associated Press:
Insurers Seek Stability As Trump Delays Health Care Decision
Uncertainty over the future of health care for millions grew deeper Monday as insurers released a blueprint for stabilizing wobbly markets and the Trump administration left in limbo billions of dollars in federal payments. ... Hours before the filing, a major insurer group released a framework for market stability that relies in part on a continuation of such subsidies. The BlueCross BlueShield Association represents plans that are the backbone of insurance markets under the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, and would also be the mainstay with a Republican approach. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 5/22)