Insurers to Senate GOP: Abandon “Skinny Repeal”

We’re not the only ones who are concerned by the Senate GOP’s “skinny repeal” plan. Health insurers are also speaking out about how this approach would kick millions of Americans off coverage and increase costs:

America's Health Insurance Plans: “‘We would oppose an approach that eliminates the individual coverage requirement, does not offer alternative continuous coverage solutions and does not include measures to immediately stabilize the market’ …. AHIP argued that eliminating the individual mandate, which requires individuals to have insurance or pay a penalty, ‘will likely result in fewer people covered and a deterioration of the risk pool, which will increase premiums.’”

Blue Cross Blue Shield: “If there is no longer a requirement for everyone to purchase coverage, it is critical that any legislation include strong incentives for people to obtain health insurance and keep it year-round… A system that allows people to purchase coverage only when they need it drives up costs for everyone.”