Here are five reactions from national insurance associations, managed care organizations and commercial and nonprofit insurers on the Better Care Reconciliation Act revealed June 22.
1. Margaret Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, which represents 60 safety net health plans, said, "The BCRA moves in a dangerous and harmful direction for poor, aged and disabled Americans and the health plans and providers that serve them — whether it is phasing out Medicaid coverage for millions of Americans, threatening the viability of the Medicaid system through underfunded per capita allotments or failing to protect the integrity of actuarially-sound rate-setting practices that underpin Medicaid managed care."
2. America's Health Insurance Plans, the health insurance industry's largest trade group, told Becker's Hospital Review it is not commenting on the legislation at this time.
3. Indianapolis-based Anthem endorsed the BCRA. In a statement to The Hill, Anthem said it believes "the Senate discussion draft will markedly improve the stability of the individual market and moderate premium increases" as the bill allocates billions toward short-term funding for the ACA exchanges, ensures cost-sharing reduction funds and gets rid of taxes on health plans.
4. Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, representing 36 independent BCBS plans, said it is encouraged "the proposed Senate health reform legislation includes several urgently needed and important steps to help make the individual market for insurance more stable and affordable in 2018 and 2019." The organization added, "As a nation, we also have an obligation to protect low-income people and the most vulnerable among us."
5. Washington, D.C.-based Alliance of Community Health Plans, a national organization of roughly 20 health plans including nonprofit payers, said it appreciates the bill's funding of CSRs through 2019 and including income in the calculation of marketplace tax credits. However, the organization said it remains "troubled by the prospect of millions of people losing coverage under the Senate bill, particularly the working families who will be significantly impacted by the proposed changes to Medicaid."