Statement of Paul Macielak, HPA President & CEO
“We are concerned that actions announced yesterday — the executive order issued by the Trump Administration followed by the decision to eliminate cost sharing reduction payments —could have significant consequences in New York that will destabilize the state’s health insurance marketplace.
“The executive order could undermine New York’s risk pool, creating new winners and losers, and reduce consumer protections by allowing new policies that don’t have to comply with certain rules required by the Affordable Care Act.
“The elimination of CSR payments will jeopardize access to health care for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. This includes individuals who buy coverage in a Qualified Health Plan and rely on this assistance to reduce their out-of-pocket costs when they need to see a doctor to treat their cancer or fill a prescription for a life-saving medication. It will also impact lower-income New Yorkers enrolled in the state’s Essential Plan, which is funded in part by CSRs.
“We hope Congress will act quickly to fund the CSR payments to help ensure all New Yorkers have access to affordable, comprehensive coverage and high-quality care.”