Correspondence

 

Dear Secretary Sebelius: 

We respectfully request clarification regarding the Obama administration’s regulatory efforts related to Taft-Hartley health insurance plans (Taft-Hartley plans) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  Over the past several months, there have been reports the administration is considering various deals to placate union leaders’ concerns regarding PPACA, including allowing millions of individuals in Taft-Hartley plans to receive preferential treatment not available to other Americans who have employer-provided health insurance. 

On October 30, 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final regulations entitled: “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Program Integrity: Exchange, Premium Stabilization Programs, and Market Standards; Amendments to the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2014.” These regulations contained a provision signaling the administration may exempt some Taft-Hartley plans from the transitional reinsurance fee for the years 2015 and 2016.

To read more, click here.

To read a follow-up letter by the committee dated February 3, 2014, click here.