(BOSTON) — Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to the bipartisan agreement Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) announced yesterday to bring stability to the health care market and facilitate consumer enrollment in health coverage.

“We commend Senators Alexander and Murray for their effort to forge a bipartisan solution to strengthen the health care market, bring down premiums for consumers and facilitate enrollment in health care coverage for millions of Americans. Their proposed agreement would include two years of funding for cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers, which would help to blunt the Trump administration’s actions that have stoked uncertainty in the health care marketplace and contributed to premium increases for consumers. It would also reverse some of the administration’s damaging cuts to outreach and enrollment, which are creating significant barriers for consumers seeking health care coverage.

“While the Alexander-Murray plan isn’t perfect, it’s a step in the right direction. We are encouraged that Senators Alexander and Murray are heeding the wishes of the vast majority of Americans who want to see bipartisan action to improve, not repeal, the ACA. We appreciate the leadership and hard work of both Senators to protect and improve our health care system.”

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable, quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.