A group of healthcare associations penned a letter to congressional leaders calling for action in the omnibus appropriations bill to lower healthcare premiums in the individual market in 2019.
The letter was signed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Benefits Council, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Federation of American Hospitals and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"In the next few weeks, health insurance providers will begin to file premium rates for 2019 in the individual market," the letter reads. "Without Congressional action now, the plans offered to Americans will be nearly 30 percent more expensive than they would be otherwise."
The associations called on Congress to create a reinsurance program to cover costs for patients with significant need and to provide funding for cost-sharing reduction benefits. These actions could reduce premiums in 2019 and expand coverage, they wrote.
The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
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