Can States Fill the Gap if the Courts Overturn Preexisting-Condition Protections?

Posted on June 3, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to hear arguments in litigation over the future of the Affordable Care Act the week of July 8, 2019. If the plaintiffs prevail, millions could lose insurance coverage and millions more will lose preexisting condition protections. In their latest post for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette and Emily Curran document state-level efforts to preserve the ACA’s insurance market reforms. Continue reading →

Most Stakeholders Oppose Expanding the Sale of Coverage Across State Lines: Reactions to HHS’ Request for Comments

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Emily Curran

The Trump administration recently asked the public to submit input on policies that would encourage the sale of insurance across state lines, including through “health care choice compacts.” CHIR’s Emily Curran reviewed comments submitted by consumer advocates, insurers, and states and summarizes them here. Continue reading →

Protecting People with Preexisting Conditions Requires More Than a Piecemeal Approach: An Assessment of a Louisiana Bill to Codify Some, But Not All, ACA Protections

Posted on May 15, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

Several state legislatures are considering bills to re-instate the Affordable Care Act’s preexisting condition protections in the event a federal court invalidates the law in Texas v. Azar. While no state can fully protect consumers from the fallout of a bad court decision, attempts to “bake in” the preexisting protections shouldn’t leave large loopholes for insurance companies to exploit. CHIR experts examine a Louisiana bill that would codify some, but not all, of the ACA’s insurance reforms. Continue reading →

New York’s Law to Protect People from Surprise Balance Bills is Working as Intended, but Gaps Remain

Posted on May 13, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

New York’s 2014 law to protect consumers from surprise out-of-network medical bills has been touted as a model for other states and even potential federal legislation. In their latest report for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CHIR experts Sabrina Corlette and Olivia Hoppe share findings from a case study of how New York’s law has affected patients, providers, and insurers, 5 years post-enactment. Continue reading →

Federal Proposal Creating New HRAs for Employers Creates Risks for Employees, the Individual Market

Posted on May 2, 2019 by JoAnn Volk

The Trump administration is expected to soon publish a final rule to expand employers’ use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) for employees to purchase individual market insurance. In her latest piece for the Commonwealth Fund’s To the Point blog, CHIR’s JoAnn Volk assesses the proposed changes and their implications for employers, employees, and state insurance markets. Continue reading →

New Study: Consumers Don’t Understand That Short-term Plans Lack Protections, Benefits

Posted on April 8, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

A study commissioned by consumer representatives to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) finds that consumers face significant challenges understanding the limitations of short-term health plans. These plans, championed by the Trump administration as a cheap alternative to ACA coverage, can leave consumers facing significant out-of-pocket costs if they have an unexpected medical event. Continue reading →

What Does the Latest Federal Court Decision Mean for Association Health Plans – and the States that Regulate Them?

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Sabrina Corlette

On March 28, 2019, a federal district court invalidated the Trump administration’s rule encouraging the formation of association health plans that would be exempt from many Affordable Care Act protections. In her latest “Expert Perspective” for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health & Value Strategies project, CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette provides an update on the court ruling and implications for state insurance departments. Continue reading →

Affordable Care Act Back in the Spotlight: Build on its Progress or Scrap it Entirely?

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Sabrina Corlette

It is hard to find a starker example of the different approaches our two political parties take to health care than the events of March 26, 2019. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette breaks down the Trump administration’s push to have the Affordable Care Act declared unconstitutional and a comprehensive bill to expand coverage and improve affordability, introduced just hours later by leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives. Continue reading →

Saying Goodbye to a Hero

Posted on March 4, 2019 by CHIR Faculty

Over the weekend we said goodbye to a dear friend. Rob Restuccia lost his 6-month battle against pancreatic cancer, but he never gave up the fight for health equity and justice. We pay tribute to his leadership, commitment and legacy. His life and work inspire us all. Continue reading →

Center on Health Insurance Reforms

Blogging about health insurance coverage, insurance markets, and how people are affected by insurance reform

Category Archives: Health reform