Trump Administration Grants States More Flexibility To Circumvent Health Law Protections For Consumers
States, for example, would be able to subsidize short-term plans that don't offer the comprehensive coverage that is guaranteed under the Affordable Care Act. The timing of the announcement just weeks before the midterms, when Republicans have been playing defense over preexisting conditions protections, raised some brows among experts.
The New York Times:
Trump Officials Make It Easier For States To Skirt Health Law’s Protections
The Trump administration announced a new policy on Monday making it easier for states to circumvent coverage requirements and consumer protections in the Affordable Care Act. States could, for example, use federal funds to subsidize short-term insurance plans with skimpy benefits and fewer protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Coming two weeks before Election Day, the new policy appeared to be a political gift to Democrats, who are making health care a potent campaign theme. (Pear, 10/22)
The Washington Post:
Trump Administration Allows ACA Subsidies For Leaner Health Plans
Under guidance issued Monday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), states seeking federal waivers to run their insurance marketplaces will be given much more leeway. That includes the ability to apply ACA subsidies to short-term and association health plans — two types of coverage the administration has expanded as a way of making cheaper plans available to those who want them. These plans don’t include coverage of certain “essential” benefits like mental-health services and prenatal care and they can refuse to cover people with preexisting conditions. (Winfield Cunningham, 10/22)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump Administration Takes Another Step To Allow Health Plans That Don't Cover Preexisting Conditions
The new proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Department would not explicitly scrap the law’s protections, which bar health plans from denying coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions. But the administration plan would dramatically reshape rules established by the 2010 law that were designed to prevent states from weakening these protections. (Levey, 10/22)
The Hill:
Trump Administration Loosens Restrictions On ObamaCare Waivers
Health advocates say the new policy is the latest example of the Trump administration allowing states to wiggle around ObamaCare requirements. While Congress was unable to repeal the law, the waivers will allow states to enact policies that advocates say counter the law’s intentions. During a call with reporters, Verma said she has received “numerous” requests from states for a more flexible waiver policy. The new guidance will take effect immediately, Verma said, but will only impact health plans in 2020 and later. Open enrollment for 2019 begins Nov. 1. (Weixel, 10/22)
Politico:
Trump Administration Widens Obamacare Escape Hatch For Red States
Red states have expressed interest in skirting Obamacare requirements. Iowa, facing an exodus of insurers, last year proposed a waiver that would have reduced financial support to lower-income health insurance shoppers and created new aid for middle-income individuals. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds withdrew the plan last October, complaining that the waiver rules were "inflexible." Verma declined to comment on whether specific states would seek waivers under the new policy. Conservative health policy experts hailed the administration's announcement. (Goldberg, 10/22)
The Wall Street Journal:
States Are Cleared To Allow Less-Comprehensive Health Plans
Democrats said the move contradicted Republicans’ claims that they want to protect people with pre-existing medical conditions from high premiums. “The American people should look at what Republicans are doing, rather than what they’re saying, when it comes to health care,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.). “Just weeks before the election, Republicans are once again undermining protections for people with pre-existing conditions and sabotaging our health-care system.” (Hackman, 10/22)
The Hill:
Dems Blast Trump Rule Changes On ObamaCare
Vulnerable Republicans across the country have been scrambling to say that they support pre-existing condition protections to try to fend off a potent line of Democratic attack, but Schumer and other Democrats argued Monday that the new rules undermined those claims. “The American people should look at what Republicans are doing, rather than what they’re saying, when it comes to health care,” Schumer said. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee added that every Republican Senate candidate “should be forced to answer for this.” (Sullivan, 10/22)
The Associated Press:
Trump Administration Unveils Health Options For Small Firms
The Trump administration is rolling out new options for small employers to use tax-free accounts for providing health coverage to workers, officials said Monday. The idea is to expand so-called "health reimbursement arrangements" to allow employees to buy their own individual health insurance policies. Employers could also pair the accounts with workplace health plans, allowing workers to use the money for additional benefits such as dental care. (10/22)
The Hill:
Trump Administration Plans To Revamp Employer-Based Health Care
HRAs allow workers to purchase coverage using tax-free dollars. Currently, an HRA can only be used to reimburse an employee or dependents for certain qualified medical expenses. The Obama administration prohibited HRAs for large- and mid-sized companies, and the IRS previously said HRAs did not comply with ObamaCare coverage requirements. HRA contributions can only be tax-free if they are coupled with a health plan that meets ObamaCare’s coverage protections. (Weixel, 10/22)