Payer Roundup—Pennsylvania reports modest premium increase; Democrats 'welcome' a healthcare vote in August

Pennsylvania counters national trend with 4.9% premium increase

Unlike states that have already reported double-digit premium increases, Pennsylvania insurers have requested a modest 4.9% average increase to ACA premiums.

Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman credited policies championed by Gov. Tom Wolf to combat changes at the federal level. The GOP-led changes include less funding for consumer outreach, shorter enrollment periods, eliminating cost-sharing reductions and "the continual threat of the repeal of the ACA," she said.

Nearly half of Pennsylvania counties will have more health insurers offering coverage next year, and the number of counties with just one option has dropped from 20 to eight.

"The modest rate requests and increased competition are further indications that the ACA is working in Pennsylvania,” Altman said. “However, the ongoing attempts and recent proposed rules being considered at the federal level to dismantle the ACA still have the potential to jeopardize market stability in future years and negatively impact health insurance consumers. We will continue to work to protect the progress we have made, including Pennsylvania's lowest uninsured rate on record, and make affordability and access our top priorities for consumers.” (Release)

Democrats look to force a healthcare vote in August

Democrats plan to make healthcare a focal point during an extended summer session, following Sen. Mitch McConnell's announcement that he would cancel the August recess.

"We Democrats welcome this additional time because it gives us the opportunity to address an issue that's on the top of the mind of so many of the American people, and one that the Republicans have badly mishandled up to this point: healthcare," Sen. Chuck Schumer told reporters. "We welcome the opportunity to address it, and we're going to work very hard in August to require our Republican colleagues to do something about it."

Schumer added that he wants to use the extra time to reverse policies backed by the Trump administration and GOP lawmakers. (C-SPAN)

Michigan edges towards Medicaid work requirement

The Michigan state legislature is on the cusp of passing a bill that would add work requirements to the Medicaid program.

The bill would require at least 350,000 Medicaid recipients to perform at least 80 hours of work each month, the Detroit Free Press reported. The legislation scaled back a previous bill that would have required a 29-hour work week, with some exemptions that many argued would have unfairly benefited rural communities.

If passed, the legislation would take effect in January 2020. (Detroit Free Press)