Alexander bill aims for ACA transparency

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would require the Obama Administration to provide information on premium increases and cost-sharing requirements to citizens prior to open enrollment of the Affordable Care Act.

Alexander introduced the Premium Disclosure Act with Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.).

Under the measure government officials would be required to provide notice of premium increases and changes in cost-sharing requirements 30 days before open enrollment begins.

That’s the same amount of notice that seniors receive when changes are made to the Medicare Advantage program, which provides access to private insurance under Medicare, Alexander noted.

“…The fact is that many Americans can’t keep their coverage, can’t keep their doctor and can’t afford this law,” Barasso said. “Our bill will deliver the transparency that the American people deserve when making important health care decisions for their families.”

The Department of Health and Human Services announced in November that ACA’s open enrollment period would begin Nov. 15, 2014, one month later than previously announced.

The Premium Disclosure Act would prevent delaying the open enrollment period until after 2014 elections. Open enrollment on heath exchanges would be from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

That move, Alexander said, would prevent government officials from playing politics with people’s healthcare.