CHIRblog

House Proposal to Promote Association Health Plans Poses Risks for Insurance Markets, Consumers

Posted March 27, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to promote federally certified association health plans (AHPs) on March 22, 2017. Widely seen as a “second phase” of Affordable Care Act repeal, the AHP proposal poses significant risks for small employers and would hinder states’ ability to protect their consumers. In their latest post for The Commonwealth Fund, Kevin Lucia and Sabrina Corlette take a look at the bill and what it would mean for the small business health insurance market.

Stakeholders React to HHS’ Proposed Market Stabilization Regulations: Part 3 – State-Based Marketplaces

Posted March 23, 2017 by Emily Curran

For the third and final blog post in our series examining reactions to the proposed market stabilization rules, we turn to state-based marketplaces. How could the proposed rules impact states? CHIR’s Emily Curran takes a look.

Stakeholders React to HHS’ Proposed Market Stabilization Regulations: Part 2 – Consumer Advocates

Posted March 17, 2017 by Rachel Schwab

Last month, the Department of Health & Human Services released proposed rules aimed at stabilizing the ACA’s health insurance marketplaces. After a 20-day comment period, they received close to 4,000 public comments. In the second post in our series on the reactions of health care stakeholders, CHIR’s Rachel Schwab looks at comments from consumer advocacy groups.

Eliminating Essential Health Benefits Will Shift Financial Risk Back to Consumers

Posted March 16, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

In a new article published on The Commonwealth Fund’s To The Point site, CHIR experts Dania Palanker, JoAnn Volk, and Justin Giovannelli look at the individual health insurance market before the Essential Health Benefits and the financial risk consumers will bear if we return to a market without benefit protections.

With all Eyes on AHCA, House Advances 3 Bills that Could Reduce Benefits, Raise Costs for People in Employer-Based Coverage

Posted March 13, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

While all eyes were on the House reconciliation bill to repeal and replace parts of the ACA, another House committee advanced three bills that could have a far-reaching impact on people with employer-based coverage. CHIR experts take a look.

Stakeholders React to HHS’ Proposed Market Stabilization Regulations: Part 1 – Insurers

Posted March 9, 2017 by Emily Curran

In February, the Department of Health & Human Services released proposed rules affecting the ACA’s health insurance marketplaces. In response, they received close to 4,000 public comments. In the first of a series of three posts examining reactions among health care stakeholders, CHIR’s Emily Curran assesses the reaction of insurance companies.

What’s the Difference Between Reinsurance and a High-Risk Pool? Two approaches to insuring those with pre-existing conditions

Posted March 6, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

Congressional leaders and the President have said any plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will ensure access for people with pre-existing conditions. However, how they are covered matters a great deal, in part because of the effects on the stability of the risk pool in the individual market.

Maryland CO-OP Health Plan Becomes a For-Profit Company

Posted March 1, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

Just hours before President Trump took the oath of office, the Maryland health insurance CO-OP Evergreen Health officially closed a deal with the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) to sever its ties with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) CO-OP program. The company will now transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit company, allowing it to gain an infusion of financing from outside investors. Executives credited the deal with enabling Evergreen to survive and stay competitive. However, it also provides insight into the immense challenges involved in starting up a new insurance company in the current market, even with federal financing.

Reading the Fine Print: Do ACA Replacement Proposals Give States More Flexibility and Authority?

Posted February 27, 2017 by

State leaders have been heartened by statements from the new President and Congressional leaders that ACA replacement plans will give them more autonomy over their health insurance markets. But is that really true? In a post for the Health Affairs blog, CHIR experts Sabrina Corlette and Kevin Lucia examine the fine print of House and Senate replacement plans and find that they broadly preempt state authority.

CHIR Expert Testifies Before the House Committee on Small Business Regarding Enhancements to the ACA

Posted February 21, 2017 by CHIR Faculty

On February 7, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing titled, “Reimagining the Health Care Marketplace for America’s Small Businesses,” to discuss the challenges small businesses are facing in the health insurance marketplaces and to offer potential solutions for the next phase of reform. Georgetown’s own Dania Palanker provided testimony on how the ACA has helped to lessen the burdens for small business owners who wish to provide health coverage to employees.