The position statement comes as Senate Republicans considered a “skinny repeal” of the ACA following rejections of their repeal and replacement plan and a straight ACA repeal plan. The “skinny repeal” would have eliminated the ACA’s individual mandate, the employer mandate and the medical device tax.
“We would oppose an approach that eliminates the individual coverage requirement, does not offer continuous coverage solutions and does not include measures to immediately stabilize the individual market,” AHIP said.
Senate Republican’s replacement plan included a required a six-month lock out period for individuals who have coverage lapses to dissuade people from buying insurance when sick. The “skinny repeal” didn’t offer this. Without a means to pressure individuals to maintain coverage, insurers argued premiums would climb, the report states.
Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association issued a similar statement Wednesday, according to the report.
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