(BOSTON, MA) – Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to the introduction of the Undo Sabotage and Expand Affordability of Health Insurance Act of 2018 by Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) and Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA). The bill would expand affordability of health insurance and restore stability to the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) marketplaces, reversing Trump administration efforts to sabotage the law.

“Today, three Democratic leaders of the committees with jurisdiction over health care in the House of Representatives introduced a bill that would build on the foundation of the ACA and stop harmful policies proposed by the Trump administration designed to destabilize and undermine the law. This is an important step forward in congressional action to stabilize the marketplaces.

“The policies proposed in this bill would have a big impact on improving the affordability of health insurance coverage. By expanding eligibility and increasing the amount of financial assistance available to ACA enrollees, this bill would help more moderate-income families afford comprehensive coverage. As the Trump administration continues to stoke uncertainty in the marketplaces, this bill would reverse some of the administration’s damaging cuts to outreach and enrollment, protect the ACA’s essential health benefit standards and prevent junk insurance plans from undermining the comprehensive coverage consumers rely on — especially those with preexisting conditions.

 “The American people want real health care solutions that allow them to get the care they need when they need it. This bill delivers with a set of policies that would make coverage more affordable for more people, would support the stability of the marketplaces, and would make workable improvements to the ACA that, if enacted, would have a positive impact on the health and financial security of millions of people.”

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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. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.