(BOSTON, MA) – Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the impact cutting off cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers would have on Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

“Today, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) concluded what we already knew to be true: cutting off cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace insurers will destabilize the health insurance market and leave consumers with fewer coverage options.

“By the CBO’s estimation, ending the CSR payments for the 2018 plan year will drive insurers to exit the ACA marketplaces and result in 5 percent of the population living in areas without any coverage options.

“This administration’s non-committal attitude and unwillingness to provide certainty has already caused insurers to increase premiums and think twice about offering plans in the ACA marketplaces. It is yet one more example of how it will ignore the will of the people and continually look for ways to sabotage current law.

“Instead of working to sabotage our health care system, President Trump must step up and promise to make these payments and Congress should move forward with bipartisan efforts to make a permanent appropriation, putting this issue to bed once and for all. Playing politics with the health and security of families across the country is reckless and irresponsible.”