09/09/09
AHIP Statement on President Obama's Address to the Nation
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released the following statement today from Karen Ignagni, President and CEO:
"We agree the status quo is not sustainable. That is why health plans last year did something industries rarely do: stepped up and offered solutions to address the health care concerns raised by the American people. We proposed health insurance reform to guarantee coverage to all Americans, eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions and rescissions, and no longer base premiums on a person's health status or gender. To keep coverage as affordable as possible, these reforms must be paired with an effective coverage requirement to get everyone into the health care system.
"New health insurance reforms and consumer protections will solve the problem without creating a new government-run plan that will disrupt the quality coverage that millions of Americans rely on today. We share the concerns that hospitals, doctors, employers, and patients have all raised about the significant unintended consequences of a government-run plan.
"Health care reform must also include a serious commitment to cost containment to ensure coverage is more affordable and to put our health care system on a sustainable and fiscally responsible path. New taxes on health care coverage will have the opposite effect by making coverage less affordable for families and small businesses across the country.
"Health plans will continue to work with policymakers and stakeholders to advance comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform. The nation cannot afford to let this historic opportunity pass us by."
08/26/09
AHIP Statement on Senator Kennedy
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released the following statement today from Karen Ignagni, President and CEO:
"Senator Edward Kennedy was America's health care champion. His contribution to health care policy is unmatched. AHIP and its members join the entire health care community in extending our thoughts and prayers to the Kennedy family."
06/19/09
AHIP Statement on Draft Health Care Reform Legislation
Robert Zirkelbach, spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), issued the following statement on the draft health care reform legislation that was released today:
"We strongly believe that now is the time for comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform that makes care more affordable, improves quality, and covers all Americans. We are currently reviewing the draft and look forward to participating in a broad discussion on the workability of the proposed reforms.
"Health plans have offered a comprehensive overhaul of existing market rules and new consumer protections to achieve universal coverage, guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions, discontinue rating based on health status or gender, and ensure continuity of care and portability of coverage for all individuals.
"The American people overwhelmingly agree that those who like their current coverage should be able to keep it. We share the concerns that providers, employers, and patients have raised about the significant unintended consequences of a government-run plan. A government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage, add additional liabilities to the federal budget, and turn-back-the-clock on efforts to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Estimates show that 100 million people would lose their current coverage and be forced into a government-run plan.
"A better approach is to pursue reforms that can achieve broad bipartisan support, including strengthening the health care safety net, overhauling existing market rules, promoting shared responsibility, and transforming the delivery system to reward quality and value.
"As we work toward the shared goal of simplifying health care choices, it is crucial to develop an architecture with workable rules that ensures broad participation of health plans, makes available a variety of coverage options, and avoids duplicative regulation that makes it harder for working families and small employers to afford coverage. Moreover, health care reform needs to ensure that patients continue to benefit from health plans' programs that improve quality and safety, advance evidence-based care, and promote affordability.
"We need a uniquely American approach to health care reform. Health plans are committed to this process and will do our part to help make this goal a reality."
This statement, as well as other health care reform updates, can also be found on our blog.
06/09/09
AHIP Statement on Health Care Reform Legislation
Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans, issued the following statement:
"The introduction of legislation is an important first step in the process and demonstrates a strong commitment by members of Congress to enact health care reform this year. We strongly believe that now is the time for comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform. We are currently reviewing the legislation and look forward to a broad discussion on the workability of the proposed reforms.
"Our community has offered a comprehensive health care reform proposal that includes a complete overhaul of market rules and consumer protections to ensure that every American has guaranteed access to affordable, portable health care coverage and that all Americans participate in the system. We have long advocated fixing the public safety net to make eligible for Medicaid all uninsured Americans living in poverty and to expand the children's health insurance program. Health plans also are fully committed to advancing cost containment and administrative simplification so that our health care system is put on a sustainable and fiscally responsible path.
"While we strongly support the goal of simplifying health care choices for individuals and employers, it is crucial to develop an architecture with workable rules that ensures broad participation of health plans that offer a variety of coverage options. Moreover, reform needs to preserve the ability of health plans to utilize existing tools to contain costs and avoid duplicative regulation that would drive up the cost of health care coverage for working families and small employers.
"We also share the concerns that employers, providers, and patients have raised about the significant unintended consequences of a new government-run plan. A government-run plan would dismantle employer-based coverage, significantly increase costs for those who remain in private coverage, and add additional liabilities to the federal budget. Alternatively, strong market rules and consumer protections will ensure that nobody falls through the cracks without disrupting the coverage of tens of millions of Americans who like and want to keep their current health plans.
"We need a uniquely American approach to health care reform that builds on what is working in the current health care system. Health plans are committed to this process and will work with the committee to make this goal a reality."
PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE (PDF FORMAT)
06/01/09
AHIP Statement on Stakeholder Cost Containment Announcement
05/11/09
AHIP Statement on Cost Containment Framework
04/28/09
New Health Plan Payment Models Are Improving Patient Quality and Safety
03/10/09
NFIB and AHIP Urge Focus on Affordable Health Care for Small Businesses
03/05/09
AHIP Statement on White House Health Care Summit
02/24/09
AHIP Statement on President's Address to Congress
02/13/09
AHIP Statement on Health Care Provisions in Economic Recovery Legislation
02/04/09
AHIP Praises Enactment of SCHIP Reauthorization
01/29/09
AHIP Congratulates Senate on Passage of SCHIP
12/03/08
Health Plans Offer Comprehensive Reform Proposal
11/19/08
Health Plans Propose Guaranteed Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions and Individual Coverage Mandate
11/12/08
AHIP Statement on Senator Baucus' Health Care Reform Proposal
10/02/08
Health Insurance Industry Discusses Strategies to Lower Costs and Expand Coverage with Arkansas Governor’s Roundtable on Health Care
09/26/08
Health Insurance Industry Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Rhode Island Working Families and Small Business Owners
09/09/08
Health Insurance Industry Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Health Care Reform in Albuquerque
08/27/08
Health Insurance Industry Listens to Health Care Concerns of Utah Small Business Owners
08/26/08
Uninsured Report Highlights Urgent Social and Economic Challenge for the Nation
05/29/08
AHIP Releases We Believe in High-Value Health Care
04/19/07
AHIP Advances New National Strategy to Improve Health Care Safety and Quality
11/13/06
AHIP Announces Proposal to Expand Access to Health Insurance Coverage to Every American
11/13/06
Americans Urge New Congress to Focus on Health Care
01/30/06
Health Insurance Premium Growth Slows Despite Increased Utilization, Higher Costs