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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2020
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515; jvanness@communityplans.net 

STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY IN RESPONSE TO COURT RULING ON EXCHANGE PROGRAM INTEGRITY RULE

WASHINGTON—ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray released the following statement after a Federal district court judge blocked a provision of the Exchange Program Integrity rule, which would require issuers to charge—and consumers to pay—two separate bills should their plan cover abortion services:

“The District Court’s ruling is a major win for access to care.

“If implemented, these requirements would impose significant administrative burdens on issuers and consumers. We expect it would lead plans to drop coverage for abortion services,  even if their enrollees desire such coverage.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten Americans and our health care system we urge HHS to implement policies that promote access to care, not wrap coverage in red tape, as this part of the Exchange Program Integrity rule surely would. Is there another industry in America where the government mandates—as the Trump administration would here–that consumers cut two checks a month for the same service?

“This rule is a departure from standard accounting practices and imposes operational and financial challenges for plans as they work to comply with the separate billing requirements. The Federal court ruling here is a boon for the law, and for common sense. We urge HHS to  find more productive ways to achieve its goals than advancing onerous regulations that place undue burdens on health care consumers.”

About ACAP
ACAP represents 77 Safety Net Health Plans which collectively serve more than 20 million people. ACAP-member Safety Net Health Plans and partners serve their communities through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other public health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.

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