‘We Want The Individual Marketplace To Function,’ Administration Official Says But Remains Vague On Details
The official, who spoke to The New York Times, says President Donald Trump wants to stabilize the marketplace, but wouldn't commit to saying the administration will pay for insurer subsidies or promote enrollment for the next year.
The New York Times:
Trump Administration Wants To Stabilize Health Markets But Won’t Say How
A Trump administration official said Wednesday that the administration wanted to stabilize health insurance markets, but refused to say if the government would promote enrollment this fall under the Affordable Care Act or pay for the activities of counselors who help people sign up for coverage. The official also declined to say whether the administration would continue paying subsidies to insurance companies to compensate them for reducing deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs for low-income people. Without the subsidies, insurers say, they would sharply increase premiums. (Pear, 8/30)
The Wall Street Journal:
Leaders Of A Dozen State-Run Insurance Exchanges Call For Preservation Of Subsidies
Leaders of a dozen state-run health insurance exchanges threw their support Wednesday behind congressional efforts to bolster the individual insurance markets while giving states more leeway over implementing the Affordable Care Act. The state health leaders warned that premiums would continue to climb, and state budgets would suffer, if the federal government didn’t commit to preserving payments to insurers that offset out-of-pocket costs for some consumers, and if states didn’t get more flexibility. (Armour, 8/30)
The Wall Street Journal:
Voters Urge Bipartisanship As Congress Returns To Washington
On a swing through western Iowa this week, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley told constituents he is committed to working in a bipartisan way when Congress returns next month to provide storm relief, stabilize the health-care system and fund the government without drama. It is a message that has resonated with many voters as Mr. Grassley tours the state during Congress’s August recess. It comes as President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, has criticized lawmakers in his own party and said this month that he is willing to risk a government shutdown if the GOP-controlled Congress declines to appropriate money for additional border fencing between the U.S. and Mexico. (Tau, 8/30)