Three former HHS secretaries have called on President Donald Trump and the GOP-led Congress to stabilize the ACA markets, according to ABC News.
Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat who served under former President Barack Obama, along with Republicans Tommy Thompson and Mike Leavitt, who served under former President George W. Bush, said Mr. Trump needs to dispel uncertainty surrounding cost-sharing reduction subsidies. They believe clarity regarding the subsidies is essential for stabilizing the ACA markets.
Though GOP efforts to repeal and replace the ACA may have stalled, Mr. Leavitt believes it is still possible for Congressional Republicans can have an impact on the legislation.
"They can make changes that signal a new ideological direction without generating a logistical and political mess," said Mr. Leavitt. "They won the right to make changes. However, they should do it in a skillful way."
Mr. Leavitt and Ms. Sebelius also believe states will play a bigger role in shaping healthcare legislation moving forward, thanks to a waiver pathway built into the ACA. The responsibilities of states will likely be a key aspect of bipartisan hearings held by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee later in September.
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