American Bridge spokesperson Andrew Bates released the following response to Attorney General Jeff Sessions indicating that the Department of Justice will keep defending Affordable Care Act cost-sharing subsidies:
“This has always been a frivolous, partisan lawsuit that’s a giant waste of taxpayer resources. Republicans should drop this suit once and for all and finally work with Democrats to keep the government open and protect the millions of hardworking Americans whose health coverage Donald Trump is holding hostage.”
Axios: Sessions hints DOJ will keep fighting Obamacare subsidy case
Attorney General Jeff Sessions suggested the administration will keep appealing the House lawsuit on the legality of Obamacare insurer subsides in an interview on Fox News on Wednesday.
When asked by an interviewer whether he would “continue to allow the legal process to continue for another judge to take a look at this case,” or whether he’ll take a “step back from it,” Sessions chose the former. “The legal process will continue,” he said, indicating the administration will continue to challenge a district court ruling saying the payments are illegal.
Why this matters: The subsidies have become a huge issue as insurers make decisions about the 2018 enrollment period. This doesn’t give them much new certainty about what will happen long-term, but it seems to suggest the payments will at least continue while the appeal plays out.
Published: Apr 19, 2017