Advocates, insurers and hospitals raise concerns about AHPs, short‑term plans and prescription coverage changes

Several witnesses, including Lake Kisher of Carey Advocate and representatives from insurers, told the committee they were worried about the bill’s provisions on Association Health Plans (AHPs) and short‑term limited duration coverage. Kisher said the change "is cannibalizing the small group" market by encouraging lower‑risk people to leave the small‑group pool, which could raise costs for remaining employers.

Kisher also urged the committee to gather more modeling on the proposal’s distributional effects for premiums and out‑of‑pocket costs. "We need to model it," Kisher said about proposed prescription drug coverage changes, adding that some people would be winners and others losers and that the committee should know who those groups are before acting.

On health‑sharing ministries, several witnesses recommended collecting data. Blue Cross said it was "really interested in just learning more about" health‑sharing plans and would supply information to the committee. Insurer and hospital witnesses cautioned that short‑term plans sometimes leave purchasers underinsured and stressed the need for consumer protections and clear reporting requirements before policy changes.