“Materially Worse” Under the Trump Administration
Another day, another story about how Republican sabotage of the Affordable Care Act is raising Americans’ health care costs. The Washington Post spoke with Chet Burrell, CEO of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, who had some choice words for President Trump and Congressional Republicans about their actions to undermine health insurance markets. Here’s a look at key excerpts from the interview:
“More rate hikes are looming large in May and June as insurers face even more potential losses under a Republican administration.”
“The CEO of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of the insurers gearing up to release prices for next year’s plans sold on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, has in the past has warned the marketplaces are in a ‘death spiral.’ Now Chet Burrell fears things are ‘materially worse.’”
“‘Continuing actions on the part of the administration to systematically undermine the market and make it almost impossible to carry out the mission,’ Burrell said. ‘If continued efforts at the federal level undermine the marketplaces, I would think the board would have to examine what they would want — that’s very much on their mind.’”
“‘Did Obamacare work?’ he said. ‘Did the people who needed the coverage get it? Hell, yes.’”
“The CEO of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of the insurers gearing up to release prices for next year’s plans sold on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, has in the past has warned the marketplaces are in a ‘death spiral.’ Now Chet Burrell fears things are ‘materially worse.’”
“‘Continuing actions on the part of the administration to systematically undermine the market and make it almost impossible to carry out the mission,’ Burrell said. ‘If continued efforts at the federal level undermine the marketplaces, I would think the board would have to examine what they would want — that’s very much on their mind.’”
“‘Did Obamacare work?’ he said. ‘Did the people who needed the coverage get it? Hell, yes.’”