Actuaries: Ending EHBs May Not Significantly Lower Overall Prices And Would Hike Costs For Those Benefits

The American Academy of Actuaries told congressional leaders Wednesday (March 22) that scrapping Obamacare's essential health benefits, as sought by conservative Republicans in last-minute negotiations with President Donald Trump to lower the price of insurance, might not significantly lower overall costs and would increase premiums for consumers seeking those benefits. The actuaries note that the cost of certain essential health benefits like maternity care or mental health and substance abuse are relatively small when spread across a large risk pool...