Open Enrollment 2019: The NDC’s Work to Make Health Care More Affordable

New Democrat Coalition
Nov 1 · 3 min read

On the first day of open enrollment, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) encourages Americans nationwide to sign up for quality, affordable health coverage and highlights all the work NDC has done to ensure access to coverage. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health insurance to more than 20 million people, marking an unprecedented moment of progress for Americans and the nation’s health care system.

But, due in large part to destabilizing actions taken by Republicans in past Congresses and by the current administration, many Americans still struggle with insurance costs, have difficulty understanding their coverage options, or worry they may lose their coverage. The Administration has slashed funding for marketing, shortened enrollment periods, attempted to undermine care protections for women and LGBTQ individuals, and attempted to strip protections for preexisting conditions.

Largely due to innovative policies at the state level to counteract partisan attacks against the health care system, there has been a decrease in uninsured rates and premium increases in states that have implemented policies like reinsurance. Congress’ priority must be to fortify the protections and coverage expansions achieved under the ACA, and build on this framework to achieve universal and affordable coverage and care. The NDC is committed to advancing real solutions that reduce health care costs for families and seniors, increase choices for consumers, and encourage enrollment by the young and healthy.

Last Congress, the NDC led the charge to stabilize the ACA and ensure it works as intended in the Solutions Over Politics: Stabilizing and Improving the Individual Market package. The package offered proposals to create a permanent reinsurance program, reduce healthcare costs for low-income Americans, promote greater insurance coverage, create a greater number of affordable insurance options, and improve the marketplaces. Members sent letters to then-Speaker Paul Ryan calling on him to lead in a bipartisan manner to stabilize and improve the individual health insurance market while protecting the Affordable Care Act. NDC also sent a letter to Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) calling for a bipartisan path forward on legislative solutions to reduce health care costs. More on how the New Dem principles catalyzed the bipartisan momentum by NDC Chair Emeritus Rep. Jim Himes in The Hill.

Already this Congress, New Dems urged House leaders to prioritize strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and continue the path toward affordable universal coverage. The House then passed the NDC-supported H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, which included several individual New Dem-introduced and endorsed bills that will not only strengthen the ACA but also fight efforts to undermine the health care system. The NDC also endorsed legislation to stabilize the ACA and improve coverage expansion and affordability. These bills would help fortify the health insurance system, expand coverage, and bring down insurance costs for Americans.

New Democrats have sought ways to work with Republicans for years to strengthen the country’s health care system and fix what is not working. Moving forward, the NDC is focused on working constructively to build bipartisan support to improve the American health care system. NDC will look to move actionable legislation that:

· Building on our current health care system, develop a pragmatic approach to affordable universal coverage

· Drives down costs in the health care system, making coverage, care, and prescription drugs affordable

· Encourages innovation and technology in health management and care to improve outcomes, efficiency, and care delivery.

The NDC hopes that Democrats and Republicans can still come together to discuss real solutions to improve our nation’s health care system. Healthcare can no longer be a partisan issue. The ACA has made tremendous progress for millions of people. It’s time for Republicans to join Democrats in ensuring every American has access to affordable coverage and care. The NDC will continue its work to undo the sabotage done to our health care system, and looks forward to building on this work through the legislative progress of our Members.

New Democrat Coalition

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The New Democrat Coalition is focused on pro-growth, innovative, and fiscally responsible policies. We believe in ideas over ideology.

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