Second-Round Rate Review Grants Allow States to Push Forward with Commitment to Lowering Unreasonable Premium Hikes

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded states with a second round of rate review grants. These grants will help states continue to expose unreasonable rate increases and pursue the authority to reject such unreasonable hikes to premiums. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, regarding the new grants:

“In recent years, health care costs have grown at phenomenal rates. The pocketbooks of families and individuals have continually been squeezed to pay for premiums. These rate review grants and the work of many states will help to lower unreasonable premium hikes.

“In particular, the grants will allow states to continue improving their rate review programs through measures like expanding their scope of review; improving their IT systems; increasing staff capacity; instituting greater public disclosure and comment in the review process; and, for states that lack the authority, acquiring the ability to modify and reject unreasonable rate increases.

“The grants will provide states with the continued resources to scrutinize rates and ensure that insurers comply with the letter of the law. Moving forward, consumers may now begin to feel some relief in their pocketbooks and have a greater voice in the process when they are asked to pay higher premiums.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org