Insurance Commissioner Chaney says biggest changes coming from Congress could be to Medicaid program

Low Income Mississippians Could Face Higher Health Costs

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says portions of the bill are constantly being rewritten before Congress takes up the measure Thursday.  He says an increase in subsidies may be off the table.

“The proposals that are before Congress today, as we speak, would keep payments about the same or costs for someone over 50 and someone of 30 years of age, about the same as they are today,” said Chaney.

Chaney says the biggest change could be to the Medicaid program. The bill could allow states to make changes to eligibility or create a work requirement. Chaney says it’s difficult to say what the American Health Care Act will contain until it’s finalized. He added the bill won’t increase competition among insurers in Mississippi. Chaney says Humana, which is one of two carriers in the state, will pull out at the end of the year. The proposed bill will not impact employer coverage unless it was provided because of the Affordable Care Act mandate. 

MPB
3/21/17