Bipartisan Proposal in the Senate Would Fund Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments and Make Other Changes to the Affordable Care Act

On Tuesday, Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a bipartisan proposal that would fund cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through 2019. The bill would also make other changes to the ACA, including: allowing consumers over age 30 to buy catastrophic plans; making it easier for States to obtain innovation waivers under Section 1332; and funding outreach and education for open enrollment on the Exchanges. The proposal follows President Trump’s announcement last week that the federal government would cease making CSR payments to insurers, effective immediately, which we described in an advisory circulated last Friday.