| Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is disappointed in the U.S. Senate’s passage of a tax reform bill that repeals the individual mandate, a key tenet of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). BCBSRI has advocated for an individual mandate as a critical component of an effective healthcare system, as broad enrollment contributes to a balanced risk pool creating more affordable premiums. Without that balance, health insurance premiums are likely to increase, thereby reducing accessibility to care. Combined with the recent elimination of cost sharing reductions, the repeal of the individual mandate creates further financial stresses in the healthcare system. ... |