Thread by @ASlavitt

I'm getting a lot of questions about Trump's decision to cut CSRs, what it means, what will happen & what should be done.

More soon. 1/

2/ There are public policies reasonable people disagree on-- things where one group benefits & another doesn't.

CSRs is not such an issue.

3/ CSR impact (CBO):

Consumers- 20% ⬆️premiums
Public health- 1 mm ⬆️uninsured
Taxpayers- $194 B ⬆️in deficit

There are no winners here.

4/ The statement issued by HHS doesn't focus on people affected & it can't resist being blatantly, resentfully political.

5/ The official rationale they use is that the payments aren't legally allowed. That's officially known as bunk.

Why?...

6/ This is in the midst of being contested so of course Admin can (& has since Jan) choose to make payments during appeal.

7/ As @JRubinBlogger points out the decision is blatantly designed to damage the ACA following failure of repeal.

washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-tu…

8/ Several people I have talked to point to the suspicious timing, right before OE when insurers can still withdraw for 2018.

9/ The timing makes it challenging for state actions & legal actions 2 take effect. It forces a decision over whether plans should withdraw.

10/ Relying on Congress 2 pass CSR funding feels like thin hope, but if they don't act, they are complicit in harming families & taxpayers.