\u201cThe HOPE Act is a practical, bipartisan solution that maintains affordability, enhances transparency and improves accountability while Congress works toward long-term reforms that will make our health care system more stable and more affordable,\u201d Hurd said in a news release. \u201cI will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pursue responsible, common sense solutions that put families first.\u201d<\/p>\n
The guardrails in the bill aim to crack down on broker fraud and includes measures in the Insurance Fraud Accountability Act \u2013 another proposed piece of legislation \u2013 to prevent \u201cghost beneficiaries\u201d by directing regular checks against the federal Death Master File, a database kept by the Social Security Administration containing records of individuals who have died.<\/p>\n
The bill would also establish a \u201cpreponderance of evidence\u201d standard of proof to determine when an agent or broker should be allowed to continue operating in the ACA marketplaces, as well as require that marketplaces better notify recipients of the value of premium tax credits they are receiving from the federal government.<\/p>\n
Co-introduced by Don Bacon, R-Neb., Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., Hurd said the HOPE Act provides a \u201ctemporary and responsible\u201d extension of current premium tax credits so families don\u2019t see sudden cost spikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say the cost of health care and health care premiums is not a Republican issue, it\u2019s not a Democratic issue. I don\u2019t care how red or blue your district is,\u201d Hurd told reporters outside the Capitol on Nov. 21. \u201cThis is something that your constituents care about. I\u2019m proud to be with great colleagues on the Republican side and on the Democratic side in advancing this important proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n