Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio and American Academy of Family Physicians Washington, DC, Office
A bipartisan proposal to stabilize health insurance markets gained momentum late last week when enough lawmakers rallied behind it to give it potentially unstoppable Senate support (Source: “Bipartisan Plan to Curb Health Premiums Gets Strong Support,” Associated Press, October 20, 2017).
But its fate remained unclear as some Republicans sought changes that could threaten Democratic backing.
Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) said their plan had 24 sponsors, divided evenly between both parties, for resuming federal subsidies to insurers. President Trump has blocked the money and without it, insurers are already raising premiums for many buying individual coverage and could flee unprofitable markets.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said all 48 Democrats — including two independents who support them — would back the measure in a vote. The measure would still have to clear the House, where Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and many conservatives have been cold to the idea, and win President Trump’s signature.
Two supporters of the bipartisan plan, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said in a statement that it “will not pass unless concerns of the House are addressed.” They said they were seeking agreement on provisions adding flexibility for states to ease some requirements of President Barack Obama’s health care law.
The American Academy of Family Physicians wrote a letter to Sens. Alexander and Murray applauding their efforts at bipartisan compromise aimed at stabilizing the health insurance market. Joining the AAFP in its support of the compromise are the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Psychiatric Association.