In a highly unusual display of support for the ACA, a number of healthcare professional organizations have come out to support expansion of the ACA. The support is broad in that in covers hospitals, physicians, insurers and employers. These groups issued a joint statement released Feb. 10.
The coalition includes:
- America’s Health Insurance Plans
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American Benefits Council
- American Hospital Association
- American Medical Association
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
- Federation of American Hospitals
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The groups outlined several proposals it wants the federal government to implement. They include the expansion of ACA subsidies, the reintroduction of a three-year, 100 percent federal funding match for states that expand Medicaid and increased federal funding for insurance outreach and enrollment programs.
Current proposals under a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill already target increasing subsidies for Americans who buy their health insurance from the ACA marketplace.
The coalition stated support for a stable healthcare marketplace in the U.S. The pandemic has caused many people to lose their healthcare through a loss of employment. Many individuals do not even know that their state may have access to the ACA.
We support this effort to assist anyone in need of healthcare coverage during this difficult time. The action by this coalition should provide industry and political support to move forward with the expansion of coverage.