AHA, others urge Congress to fund CSR payments

The AHA and seven other national organizations this weekend urged congressional leaders to “take action now to fund cost-sharing reduction benefits for the millions of Americans who depend on this critical program.” The White House announced last week that it will stop making CSR payments to health insurers. Federal law requires insurers to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for low-income individuals purchasing coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces, and these payments reimburse insurers for the cost of that program. “We join together again to urge Congress to take swift action to ensure continued funding for CSR benefits for 2017 and for at least the next two years (2018-2019) as part of a targeted, bipartisan solution to strengthen and stabilize the individual health insurance market,” the groups wrote, noting that “[t]here will be serious consequences without Congressional action: millions will face higher premiums, fewer choices, and less access to the medical care they need.” In addition to AHA, the letter’s signers include America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Benefits Council, American Medical Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Federation of American Hospitals, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.