House considers ACA mandate exemption as co-ops continue to shut down — 4 key notes

The House is considering a bill that would exempt Americans enrolled in failed nonprofit payers from the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate, according to The Hill.

Here are four key notes:

1. Republicans are considering the measure due to the failure of numerous ACA co-ops, which have closed in the middle of the year.

2. Due to the closures, Republicans claim Americans should not have to pay the ACA penalty for not having coverage. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said, "At the same time this [law] is failing, the individual mandate remains in place. Is it fair if people purchased in a co-op and it collapses and we are holding them liable?"

3. Democrats oppose the bill, arguing the measure is unnecessary as Americans are given a special enrollment period to select a new plan if their payer stops offering coverage in the middle of the year.

4. Earlier this year, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) proposed a measure that would exempt Americans from the ACA mandate penalty if they reside in a county with one ACA insurer or no ACA insurer.

More articles on coding & billing:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska pulling out of ACA exchanges: 4 takeaways
Insurer New West Health Services to shut down: 3 things to know
State of Kansas spends $2M+ to combat Medicaid application backlog: 5 things to know

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