Congress Should Use Reconciliation Bill to Improve Access
July 20, 2022
Ensuring access to health care is core to Trinity Health’s Mission of improving the health of our communities. That is why we are calling on Congress to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium subsidies, invest in the health care delivery system, and stop recent and proposed Medicare cuts.
The American Rescue Plan Act made it more affordable for Americans to purchase health insurance by expanding the ACA subsidies, leading to record marketplace enrollment. Absent an extension of the expanded subsidies, 3 million people will become uninsured because they won't find affordable coverage and millions more will see their premium costs go up. Studies indicate people in rural communities, young adults, and people ages 55 and older benefit the most from extension of the subsidies.
Trinity Health supports Medicare negotiation of drug prices as a way to make prescription drugs more affordable and urges Congress to invest these savings into the health care delivery system. Keeping these savings in the health care ecosystem will help to stabilize hospitals and health systems that are under significant financial strain due to the ongoing burdens of COVID-19 and record inflation. Now is not the time to cut Medicare rates, including the 2% sequester that went into effect July 1. Now is the time to rebuild our nation's health care workforce and invest in emergency preparedness.
Congress is encouraged to use the reconciliation legislation to protect access to health insurance for all and to stabilize the health care delivery system.
The American Rescue Plan Act made it more affordable for Americans to purchase health insurance by expanding the ACA subsidies, leading to record marketplace enrollment. Absent an extension of the expanded subsidies, 3 million people will become uninsured because they won't find affordable coverage and millions more will see their premium costs go up. Studies indicate people in rural communities, young adults, and people ages 55 and older benefit the most from extension of the subsidies.
Trinity Health supports Medicare negotiation of drug prices as a way to make prescription drugs more affordable and urges Congress to invest these savings into the health care delivery system. Keeping these savings in the health care ecosystem will help to stabilize hospitals and health systems that are under significant financial strain due to the ongoing burdens of COVID-19 and record inflation. Now is not the time to cut Medicare rates, including the 2% sequester that went into effect July 1. Now is the time to rebuild our nation's health care workforce and invest in emergency preparedness.
Congress is encouraged to use the reconciliation legislation to protect access to health insurance for all and to stabilize the health care delivery system.