• Improvement of market rules to stabilize the healthcare market and insure long-term stability, including expansions allowing tax credits to be available outside of the marketplace, the introduction of hybrid, high-risk pools to fund the highest healthcare expenses, modification in health insurance rating rules, and flexibility in healthcare plan design and availability.
It’s too soon to tell whether the good intentions of both parties to roll up their sleeves and work together will manifest into the enactment of legislation. But the greatest chance for change will be at the state and regulatory levels. Because no matter what happens with the new Congress taking office, it’s important to remember that the regulatory bodies at both the state and federal level can make many changes for which they do not need congressional approval.
About the author: Annette Bechtold is the senior vice president of Regulatory Affairs and Reform Initiatives for OneDigitalBack to HCB News
