The Affordable Care Act’s State Innovation Waivers: A Need for Transparency and a Role for Stakeholders
Discussion of new “superwaiver” authority is a hot topic among many state and health policy circles. The Affordable Care Act allows states to modify key reforms beginning in 2017 through a so-called 1332 waiver application. States could also choose to coordinate this waiver with Medicaid and/or CHIP reforms through a 1115 waiver. CHIR’s Sabrina Corlette and Joan Alker of the Center for Children and Families assess the waiver process outlined to date and the need for transparency and stakeholder input on the critical policy decisions that will be required.