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AAFP, AMA, others implore Trump, Congress to stabilize individual health insurance market

Representatives of AMA, AAFP and several other associations recently sent President Donald J. Trump and leaders of the U.S. House and Senate letters urging them to continue funding cost sharing reductions for health care and stabilize the individual health insurance market.

“The window is quickly closing to properly price individual insurance products for 2018,” the letter stated.

According to the authors, 7 million people — 60% of the individuals who acquire coverage through the marketplace — receive assistance that reduces deductibles, co-payments, and/or out-of-pocket limits through cost sharing reductions to pay for their insurance.

The letter also stated the funding also helps those who need the most access to quality care, those being low- and modest income consumers earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level.

According to the authors, not funding these reductions would:

•limit health insurance choices for consumers;

•result in higher premiums for 2018 and beyond;

•create additional strain on providers to meet the needs of the communities they serve; and

•raise costs for everyone who has health insurance.

“We are committed to working with you to deliver the short-term stability we all want and the affordable coverage and high-quality care that every American deserves,” the letter stated. “But time is short and action is needed. By working together, we can create effective, market-based solutions that best serve the American people.”

Disclosure: Healio Family Medicine was unable to determine the authors’ relevant financial disclosures prior to publication.