Payers and healthcare organizations publicly announced their support of President Joe Biden's proposal to expand the Affordable Care Act to include more families.
The proposal announced April 5 aims to fix the "family glitch." Currently, people who do not have access to affordable health coverage through their employers can qualify for subsidies to purchase coverage through the ACA marketplace. The federal definition of affordable employer-provided coverage is only for single individuals and not for family members.
The proposal directs the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service to allow family members of employees who are offered affordable self-only coverage but unaffordable family coverage to qualify for the subsidies to purchase family health coverage through the ACA marketplace.
These organizations shared their support this week:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association:
"We share the White House's goal of accessible, affordable quality health care for all Americans. That's why Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies were part of the ACA marketplace from the very beginning and stayed in — bringing new health insurance options to families across the country. Now that there's a path to get everyone covered, we call on Congress to make the American Rescue Plan Act tax credits permanent."
America's Health Insurance Plans:
"Every American deserves access to affordable coverage and high-quality care, and health insurance providers are committed to delivering for them with more choices, better quality, and lower costs. AHIP supports proposals to fix the 'family glitch' in the ACA, and affordability and access both in the employer and individual markets will remain our core values as we review this proposed rule. We applaud the Administration for maintaining their focus on making health care more accessible and available, and we are confident that by working together, we can ensure that more families will benefit from affordable coverage that protects their health and financial stability."
"With the announcement today, the Biden Administration has taken a crucial step in the campaign to cover the 5 million people who fall into the family glitch. The family glitch is inconsistent with the goals of the Affordable Care Act and unfairly penalizes family members of lower-income workers. The American Medical Association has repeatedly asked Congress and administrations to fix the glitch, and the Biden Administration has made good on its promise to make health care coverage more affordable."
American Hospital Association:
"All Americans deserve access to comprehensive health care and coverage. We can get there by building on the Affordable Care Act. Hospitals and health systems strongly support the Biden administration's efforts to help more Americans secure affordable health insurance by proposing to eliminate the 'family glitch.' The AHA will continue to work with the administration to preserve and expand enrollment in comprehensive coverage."