The Center for American Progress is organizing a virtual discussion on April 18, 2024, to shed light on state policies aimed at enhancing affordability in the ACA marketplace. The event will focus on lowering out-of-pocket costs, enhancing consumer protections, reducing prescription drug costs, and addressing medical debt.
According to the Center for American Progress, the ACA marketplaces have been instrumental in providing affordable and comprehensive health insurance to millions of Americans since 2014. The recent enhancements in subsidies through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have further reduced enrollee premiums, resulting in a record high marketplace enrollment of 20.5 million people in 2024.
States are now leveraging this federal assistance to tackle the issue of out-of-pocket costs, which can sometimes make marketplace coverage unaffordable for low- and middle-income families. By taking action to lower deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, states aim to ensure that everyone with marketplace plans can access the care they need.
During the upcoming discussion, experts will delve into specific state initiatives. Colin Baillio will present New Mexico's Health Insurance Marketplace Affordability Program, including the state's out-of-pocket cost assistance program and Turquoise Plans. Miranda Dietz will highlight California's efforts to lower and eliminate deductibles for certain Covered California enrollees. Laura Waddell will discuss proposed legislation in New Jersey that aims to align marketplace premiums with coverage generosity, potentially enabling more people to enroll in plans with lower out-of-pocket costs.
The panel discussion will feature Colin Baillio, Miranda Dietz, Laura Waddell, and will be moderated by Natasha Murphy, the Director of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress.
The event is scheduled for April 18, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET and will be held online. To participate, individuals can RSVP at the provided link. For further information, interested parties can contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].
