Several health organizations have come together in issuing a joint statement addressing the Trump administration's recent warning of discontinuing cost-sharing reduction (CSR) benefits available under the Affordable Care Act.
America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Benefits Council, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Federation of American Hospitals and U.S. Chamber of Commerce made their statement supporting CSR benefits, which are designed to directly assist health care consumers, a release on the American Medical Association website said.
“Cost-sharing reductions are used to help those who need it most – low- and moderate-income consumers," the statement said. "These funds, which are built into their benefits, reduce their out-of-pocket costs such as copayments and deductibles when they receive care. Without these funds, consumers’ access to care is jeopardized, their premiums will increase dramatically, and they will be left with even fewer coverage options."
The statement was a response to recent concerns that the Trump administration may stop making these payments to insurers. President Donald Trump sparked more unease about the subject when he recently tweeted, "If a new health care bill is not approved quickly, bailouts for insurance companies and bailouts for members of Congress will end very soon."
The organizations said that CSR benefits are "essential to making coverage and care affordable for American families" and that commitment to funding the benefits is necessary at this time, the posting said
“As medical professionals, insurers providing health care services and coverage to hundreds of millions of Americans, and business leaders concerned with maintaining a stable health insurance marketplace for consumers, we believe it is imperative that the administration fund the cost-sharing reduction program," the statement read.
