HHS Secretary Price: Alaska Waiver Approval Just the First Step in Era of State Flexibility

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, M.D., released the following statement on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Treasury’s announcement that they are granting approval to Alaska’s State Innovation Waiver:

“Alaskans have suffered greatly under Obamacare. Premiums on the state’s individual market have tripled since the law was implemented, while just one issuer is still selling plans. HHS has been working with our partners in Alaska to determine how best to provide some relief from this situation.

“The State Innovation Waiver approved today will support Alaska’s reinsurance program, which has already helped put downward pressure on premium increases in the state’s individual market. Alaska predicts that continuing its reinsurance program will lead to lower premiums than the state would see otherwise.

“Washington does not have all the answers when it comes to healthcare. State Innovation Waivers are just one step of many we are taking to inaugurate a new era of state flexibility and innovation in healthcare, and we look forward to more productive work with our state partners.”