Sandoval, group urge individual mandate be kept

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nevada’s Brian Sandoval is part of a bipartisan group of governors urging Congress to retain the federal health care law’s individual mandate while seeking to stabilize individual insurance markets as legislators continue work on a long-term replacement law.

The recommendation spearheaded by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, is part of a compromise plan that’s designed to be palatable to both parties. It was endorsed by eight governors who shared their plan in a letter to congressional leaders Thursday.

“Since the beginning of the recent healthcare debate I have said that I will fight for the Nevadans who now have access to healthcare as a result of the Medicaid expansion and Silver State Health Insurance Exchange,” Sandoval said in a statement to the Review-journal. “I have also stated that I will fight against any plan that places an increased financial burden on Nevada. Holding states harmless should be a priority as Congress continues to

SANDOVAL

debate federal healthcare policies.”

Sandoval added that the letter is “aligned with these two priorities” and that the bipartisan coalition is “working to bring forward solutions that will help stabilize our healthcare market so more Americans can live healthier, happier lives.”

Nevada Sen. Dean Heller joined fellow Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana to craft an amendment to a GOP law repealing Obamacare that would give states more flexibility in health care laws.

Tough sell

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, and Democrats John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, Steve Bullock of Montana, Terry Mcauliffe of Virginia and Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania also have signed onto the plan.

The governors acknowledge retaining the mandate may be a difficult sell for Congress, which has failed in its efforts to pass a replacement health care bill.

“The current mandate is unpopular, but for the time being it is perhaps the most important incentive for healthy people to enroll in coverage,” they wrote to House and Senate leaders of both parties. Experts concur that keeping younger, healthier people in the insurance pool protects against costs ballooning out of control.

The group also recommends that President Donald Trump commit to cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers and that Congress fund