Guest Blog by Pele Peacock Fischer
Public health policy has never been simple, and for decades Arizona policymakers have worked to identify ways to ensure residents have health insurance options and access to quality health care. Their efforts are further complicated by the questions arising from ongoing litigation over the Affordable Care Act and divisive political dynamics that have painted compromise and bipartisan cooperation as a negative thing.
The Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA) celebrates small victories in the quest for more health coverage even while we fight for the ideal solutions. We try not lose sight of the perfect outcomes while we acknowledge the small steps and partial improvements that will get us there. We try not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
One example of this is last year’s SB 1085, which expanded association health insurance plans to more Arizona residents and businesses. These plans are a relatively new option, authorized under a rule from the U.S. Department of Labor in August 2018. AzPHA – and other leaders in public health policy – expressed concern that this expansion could hinder Arizonans who don’t understand that the plans don’t necessarily cover essential health benefits (or pre-existing conditions) and may charge differently depending on gender and age.
We’ll continue to advocate for improvements to these health plans and more consumer protections and policy transparency to ensure Arizonans understand the details of their insurance coverage, but we also acknowledge the steps this bill took toward increased health insurance access in Arizona including:
1) More insurance coverage options for small businesses that may not qualify for other affordable health plan options; and
2) Expanded coverage for those who may not otherwise have any, since some families and small businesses are not able to – or choose not to – pay for high-cost insurance plans.
Health association plans provide options for the small percentage of individuals and small businesses that do need more options than those provided by the ACA.
And while these association health plans do not threaten existing ACA-compliant insurance plans, they do increase competition and keep insurance prices low for all Arizonans.
There is a long way to go to ensure Arizonans have high-quality, affordable health coverage and access to care. AzPHA is committed to playing a part in every discussion that will lead us to that goal, and to informing policymakers about the good and bad of every option that may get us there.