How States Are Addressing Uncertainty With 1332 Waivers

While the future of the American Health Care Act is uncertain, states continue to be interested in reforming their health care systems. We believe that states will ramp up efforts to exercise authority they have under existing law to address their state’s health care needs. While Medicaid’s 1115 waivers deservedly get the most attention, the public profile of 1332 waivers is increasing as states look to improve their health care markets. We have written previously about the promise and challenges of Section 1332 waivers, and believe they provide states with tools to make the Affordable Care Act work better in their states. But despite initial interest, few waivers have been submitted and only one approved. What has changed? The first 1332 waiver to be approved was from Hawaii and was targeted and unique to that state. But more recent action spans the geographic and political spectrum, and there is new encouragement from the Trump administration. The common theme is states taking action to promote stability in their individual insurance market. The Alaska Model Gains Traction Alaska’s state-funded reinsurance plan for its individual market is getting significant attention as states consider ways to stabilize their individual markets. In 2016, Alaska created a state-operated fund to cover all health care costs of people in the individual insurance market that had certain, traditionally high-cost diagnoses. By subsidizing the costs of individuals with diseases such as HI...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Costs and Spending Following the ACA Insurance and Coverage Payment Policy Alaska American Health Care Act Minnesota Oklahoma Section 1332 waivers state health insurance market Source Type: blogs