NORFOLK, Va. (AP/WMAL) -A third insurance company says it will stop offering individual health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act in Virginia.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said Friday in a statement that its decision was based on the shrinking individual market and uncertainty in Washington.
Anthem is also reducing its other plan offerings. In all, the changes could affect around 200,000 people.
In his calls to repeal Obamacare, President Donald Trump has threatened to cut funding to insurance companies that helps to subsidize plans for low-income people.
State Corporation Commission spokeswoman Katha Treanor said in an email Friday that at least one insurer will still offer individual insurance in each county next year with the exception of some zip codes in Fauquier County.
Treanor said that more than 360,000 Virginians are currently enrolled in individual plans.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe issued the following statement:
“Anthem leadership informed me this afternoon about its decision to leave the federal insurance exchange in Virginia, citing the President’s threats to cut off cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers and his deliberate efforts to dismantle the individual insurance market. It’s unfortunate Anthem felt it could no longer participate in the exchange because of the uncertainty created by the President and Congress. Today’s decision will result in more than 200,000 Virginians losing their quality, affordable coverage through Anthem, representing approximately half of the Virginians who purchase insurance on the exchange.
“I again urge the Administration to stop playing politics with people’s lives and come together in a bipartisan way to provide certainty for insurers that cost-sharing reduction payments will continue to be funded through 2018, in order to stabilize the marketplace in the short term. Congress and the Administration must immediately take action to stabilize the health insurance market in Virginia and across the nation, or risk further harm to the millions of Americans who rely on the exchanges for affordable coverage.”
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