Energy and Commerce subcommittees hold hearing on ACA, marketplaces

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations today held a joint hearing on Affordable Care Act implementation and oversight, including the stability of the health insurance marketplaces. Witnesses included representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Office of the Inspector General, and Government Accountability Office. Last month, AHA urged HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell to take swift action to stabilize the Health Insurance Marketplaces and encourage robust consumer and insurer participation. Specifically, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack urged the administration to further strengthen the special enrollment periods by implementing pre-approval processes; propose and finalize certain changes to the risk-adjustment program; and explicitly require qualified health plans to accept third-party premium and cost-sharing payments from hospitals, hospital-affiliated foundations and other charitable organizations to increase access to coverage for individuals not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. In addition, AHA urged the agency to dedicate more resources to outreach and enrollment, and work with states to improve the stability of their marketplaces and ensure fair rate adjustments.