ACA Repeal Efforts Begin, while Sign-Ups Continue to Rise
January 2017 ~
As senate and legislative efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) pick-up, the American Medical Association sent a letter to congressional leaders called on lawmakers to outline plans to replace the ACA before they repeal the law.
Senate Budget Committee Chair Mike Enzi, on January 3, introduced a budget resolution requisitioning the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees and the Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee develop budget reconciliation recommendations to approve draft legislation that includes provisions to repeal parts of the health reform law as well as create a “reserve fund” that would set aside savings from a possible ACA repeal to fund future health care legislation and reduce the budget deficit by January 27. The resolution does not include details on a plan to replace the ACA.
In response to the request, the American Medical Association has sent a letter to congressional leaders called on lawmakers to outline plans to replace the ACA before they repeal the law. As well, the American College of Physicians, in a separate letter, also raised concerns about certain plans for repealing the ACA without first offering a replacement plan.
While repeal efforts have increased, it was recently announced by CMS that 8.8 million U.S. residents have signed up for health plans through the federal exchange, with 2.2 million new consumers and 6.6 million returning customers.