More than half of the nonprofit health insurance CO-OPs formed through the Affordable Care Act are not off the market for the current Open Enrollment season, with the latest cut coming in Michigan. Earlier this week, two days after the start of the new enrollment season, the website of Michigan's Consumers Mutual Insurance posted a notice saying it would not sell coverage for 2016.
This particular CO-OP became the twelfth one to close within just the past year, out of the 23 that opened in 2014. These closures mean that approximately 740,000 individuals and small business across the United States will now be forced to choose new health care plans for the next year. These CO-OPs were designed to be alternatives to traditional health insurers under Obamacare.
During a meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this week, politicians on both sides of the aisle alleged the other party bears responsibility for these health care setbacks. The Republicans argue that these closures mean the government should not back certain businesses for political reasons, while the Democrats say funding cuts forced by the GOP have exacerbated the issue and contributed the overall instability of CO-OP finances.
Despite these recent setbacks, a senior official with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told lawmakers at a hearing that CO-OPs have played a vital role in creating competition and greater choice for consumers in the health insurance market. The official did say, however, that Congress restricted the Obama administration's ability to help insurers with unexpectedly large costs, cutting the original CO-OP budget from $6 billion to $2.8 billion.
Whether you choose to go the home health care route or visit a local physician, be sure to check back here again for more health insurance help and information. Contact a member of our team to learn more about available options.
