Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers are blasting Republicans’ last hope at dismantling Obamacare.
The insurer group’s statement is the latest opposition from healthcare groups, joining leading hospital and doctor groups in opposing the measure. The bill led by Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana would cut Obamacare funding and give it to states through block grants.
The association of 36 independent Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers said it is concerned the bill would create uncertainty in the markets because it would repeal the individual mandate and allow states to waive key protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
“The legislation reduces funding for many states significantly and would increase uncertainty in the marketplace, making coverage more expensive and jeopardizing Americans’ choice of health plans,” the association said. “Legislation must also ensure adequate funding for Medicaid to protect the most vulnerable.”
A new analysis of the bill from Avalere found that it would cut funding to all states by $4 trillion over 20 years.
The bill would cut funding to states that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare and boost funding to states that did not.
Republicans hope to hold a vote next week on the bill but one has not been scheduled. Republicans have until Sept. 30 to pass the bill before a tool to get it through with only 51 votes expires.
America’s Health Insurance Plans, the biggest insurer group in Washington, has not taken a position on Graham-Cassidy. The group has said that it was more interested in a bipartisan effort to stabilize Obamacare’s exchanges, but that effort collapsed Tuesday.
