WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations today heard testimony from some of the nation’s largest health insurance providers and the trade groups that represent them regarding the status of the president’s health care law, enrollment, and implementation.
The committee recently released data that showed only 67 percent of people who had chosen a plan in the federally facilitated marketplace had paid their first month’s premium as of April 15. The committee has sought an update to this figure by May 20. Full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) commented, “We released basic data points on enrollment as of April 15, and we will do so again on the data we collect through May 20. The facts are the facts, and while the administration and its allies furiously try to muddy reality, the public deserves transparency. While the administration toasts to the law’s success with its Hollywood allies, declaring this conversation over, we will continue our pursuit for facts for the American people so we can finally have a full, accurate picture of this health care law."
Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) added, “As with any criticism or questions of the Affordable Care Act, the administration predictably howled in protest and attempted to misrepresent the purpose of our inquiry. Let’s be clear about why we had to engage in this exercise in the first place: the administration would not be transparent about enrollment and provide the underlying data."
Subcommittee members learned that, despite President Obama’s assertions that “HealthCare.gov works great now, " major portions of the exchanges remain incomplete.
Click to watch Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) ask insurance providers about the status of HealthCare.gov.
Subcommittee member Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) also confirmed with each of the witnesses that the millions of cancellation notices sent over the past year were a result of the law’s mandates, and more cancellation notices are expected in coming months and years.
Click to watch Rep. Gardner ask insurance providers about future health plan cancellations.
Witnesses were unable to provide detailed estimates about what premium increases the American people can expect next year. The committee will continue its thoughtful oversight of this law and demand transparency from an administration that has distorted the reality of this law throughout its implementation.
