While the failure of the American Health Care Act was a welcome relief, Californians should continue to be concerned about federal attacks on our coverage and care through Congressional budget and tax bills, administrative actions, and more. Here’s some specific areas of concern:
COST-SHARING REDUCTIONS (CSRs): A looming decision by the Trump Administration regarding a lawsuit filed by House Republicans puts at risk $900 million/year to help lower-income families in Covered California with cost-sharing reductions. Losing that $900 million would not just raise deductibles and co-payments for hundreds of thousands of Californians, but also spike premiums and potentially crash our individual insurance market. The Trump Administration has already taken steps to destabilize our health system, but this one action would be the equivalent of a wrecking ball–with the President’s name on it.
HHS ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS: Other administrative actions by Secretary Price could also undermine our Medicaid program and individual market, either by sabotage or neglect. While many of the HHS regulations proposed earlier this year that were problematic did not impact our market due to existing California law, we need to be vigilant and take proactive actions to ensure Californian’s coverage options are protected.
CONGRESSIONAL ACTIONS: While 38 members of our state’s Congressional delegation stood strong against efforts to undo coverage for millions of Californians, fourteen Representatives supported or declined to oppose the law that would have disproportionately impacted our health system. The lack of leadership by those who didn’t oppose AHCA is alarming considering the potential attacks on Medicaid and Medicare through the future debates on the federal budget or tax reform. We also hear that the House Republicans are regrouping to take another run at repealing the ACA after the April recess. We need our delegation to be champions for Californians’ coverage and care, and the lack of courage by all of our Republican Representatives on such an obviously awful proposal concerns us as to where they will stand on future attempts.
We are committed to continue California’s successful implementation and improvement of the ACA, working with state policymakers on additional ways to expand access and decrease costs, toward the goal of quality, affordable health care for all.