Bipartisan Senate Compromise May Reinstate CSRs, Alter 1332 Waivers
A suggested compromise would reinstate the cost sharing reductions for two years in exchange for enhanced 1332 waiver flexibility for states.
Source: Thinkstock
By - Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TX) and Patty Murray (D-WH) have floated a bipartisan deal to reinstate the ACA’s cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) and boost individual enrollment outreach in exchange for alterations to the state 1332 waiver program, multiple news outlets reported.
The deal, which received initial support from President Trump but may not win over Senate Republicans, would allow enrollees over the age of 30 to sign up for catastrophic coverage plans. The deal would also increase outreach by $160 million to help individuals learn what their healthcare options are.
The effort follows the President’s recent announcement to outright end the CSRs, which has been viewed by other healthcare stakeholders as damaging to individual insurance markets. The deal would put the CSRs into place for at least two years until a longer term solution or policy amendment is possible.
“This takes care of the next two years,” Alexander said via the Washington Post. “After that we can have a full-fledged debate on where we go long-term on health care.”
"Lamar has been working very, very hard with his colleagues on the other side, and, Patty Murray is one of them in particular, and they're fairly close to a short-term solution," President Trump said according to CNN.
