House GOP summons health insurance executives for hearing on affordability

House Republican leaders invited five major health insurer CEOs to testify on Jan. 22 about rising costs, after enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired Dec. 31 and led to larger out-of-pocket bills for millions.

House Republican leaders of the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees announced they are summoning top health insurance executives to testify later this month. The announcement follows the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies on Dec. 31, which officials say increased out-of-pocket costs for many enrollees. Committee chairs framed the hearings as a broader look at affordability for people with commercial insurance. What officials said: - Committee leaders said the hearings are intended to address rising costs and the role of large health insurers, and they scheduled testimony for Jan. 22. - The announcement came after the enhanced ACA subsidies expired on Dec. 31, which the article reports resulted in significant out-of-pocket increases for many Americans. - Executives from UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health, Cigna Healthcare, Elevance Health, and Blue Shield of California were invited to testify. Summary: The hearings are presented by Republican committee leaders as a forum to question insurers about health care affordability while Democrats have criticized the party for allowing subsidies to lapse. The committees will hold the executive testimony on Jan. 22; outcomes and any subsequent actions are undetermined at this time.