Blues association hopes to convince Congress to stabilize ACA exchanges

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association wants to resurrect congressional efforts to stabilize the Affordable Care Act's exchanges by boosting tax subsidies and cost-sharing payments.

The association, which represents more than 30 Blues plans across the U.S., released a legislative proposal on Thursday to boost subsidies for ACA exchange customers to entice younger people to sign up on the exchanges and help customers that earn too much to get a subsidy. The proposal would also install a reinsurance program, resume reimbursements to insurers of cost-sharing reduction payments and further delay the ACA's health insurance tax.

The proposal is geared towards "making coverage more affordable for those who have not had any assistance," said Justine Handelman, the association's senior vice president in the Office of Policy and Representation, during a briefing with reporters Thursday.