U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on Nov. 3 joined a bipartisan contingent of his colleagues in proposing a statement of principles for lowering healthcare costs and temporarily extending and reforming the enhanced premium tax credits (APTCs) under the Affordable Care Act.
Rep. Bacon released the principles — which focus on a temporary extension with reasonable income caps and reform — alongside U.S. Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).
“We may not agree on every ideal outcome, but we’ve identified a fair, reasonable path forward on the future of the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. Compromise isn’t rocket science and it shouldn’t be treated like a weakness,” said Rep. Bacon and his colleagues in a joint statement. “Our hope is that this shared statement of principles will inspire bipartisan collaboration across Washington and help get Congress back to work for the American people.”
The statement of principles are:
Principles to Temporarily Extend and Reform Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
Temporary: A two-year extension of APTCs;
Income Cap: An income cap phased out between $200,000 and $400,000; and
Reform: Guardrails to prevent improper payments of APTCs.
- Prevent “Ghost Beneficiaries”: Requirements that ACA marketplaces confirm recipient eligibility with the Death Master File.
- Crack Down on Fraud: Establish a “preponderance of evidence” standard of proof to determine when an agent or broker should be allowed to continue operating in the ACA marketplaces.
- Enhance Delivery Clarity: Requirements that marketplaces better notify recipients the value of APTCs they are receiving from the federal government.
“Congress is gridlocked, and too many Americans have lost faith that we can work together,” the members said. “But here’s the truth: Democrats and Republicans can sit down, listen to one another, and find common ground, especially when it comes to lowering healthcare costs.”