A rare joint letter from health insurers blasts the latest Trumpcare zombie bill. The insurers point out that the Cruz amendment is an unworkable sham and will lead to millions losing health care coverage.
Insurers also debunk Republican leadership talking points to moderates that the Cruz amendment is a single risk pool. They also mention no amount of money they throw at this monstrosity will make it workable for consumers.
Republicans are in a bind now. If they strip the provision, say goodbye to conservative hardliners like Sen. Mike Lee supporting the bill.
Keep the pressure on and we will defeat Trumpcare!
we are writing to urge you to strike the "Consumer Freedom Option" from the bill. It is simply unworkable in any form and would undermine protections for those with pre-existing medical conditions, increase premiums and lead to widespread terminations of coverage for people currently enrolled in the individual market.
The Consumer Freedom Option establishes a “single risk pool” in name only. In fact, it creates two systems of insurance for healthy and sick people. A new paper from the American Academy of Actuaries on risk pooling confirms this view. We also firmly believe that the dedicated funding included in the bill to address the cost of plans that cover people with pre-existing medical conditions is insufficient and additional funding will not make the provision workable for consumers or taxpayers.
Finally, this provision will lead to far fewer, if any, coverage options for consumers who purchase their plan in the individual market. As a result, millions of more individuals will become uninsured.