New York Health Plan Association Response to American Heath Care Act
Statement by Paul Macielak, HPA President & CEO
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2017
“Following today’s House vote on the American Health Care Act, it is important to consider what impact the proposed changes will have on maintaining a stable health insurance marketplace in New York.
“More than six million New Yorkers access their health care through Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus or the state’s basic health plan known as the Essential Plan, all of which depend on managed care plans to deliver cost effective and high value health care coverage. It is vital that New York protect these populations’ access to quality health care services.
“With the deadline to file 2018 premium rates literally around the corner, it is imperative that state leaders do everything possible to protect market stability in order to reassure consumers they will have a choice of affordable health insurance options.
“The various marketplace changes proposed in the AHCA — replacing premium assistance subsidies with age-based tax credits, revising rules on community rating among them — would have a profound impact in New York and require adjustments to New York’s existing laws and regulations. Those adjustments must be done thoughtfully to preserve market stability.
“New York’s health plans have a history of working with lawmakers, regulators and other health care policy makers to pursue policies that ensure New Yorkers have access to quality, affordable health care coverage. In this era of change, health plans remain committed to continuing these efforts to protect the coverage of New Yorkers.”