This week the Department of Labor issued the final rule for Association Health Plans. The release of this rule is yet another action taken by the Administration to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Expanding these Association Health Plans will make it easier for certain small employers to offer plans don’t provide ACA coverage protections. These plans could attract younger, healthier consumers out of the ACA Marketplace and raise costs for consumers who are older or sicker. These plans could weaken essential health benefits for people who need coverage the most and cause premiums to rise for others. Consumers who choose these so-called “plans” would find themselves without comprehensive coverage when they need care the most. Any plan that increases costs, weakens essential health benefits and doesn’t protect people with pre-existing conditions must be rejected.
June 21, 2018 – B. Belton