A simmering dispute over the risk corridor program has broken into the presidential campaign, with Senator Rubio crowing that an arcane budget move has “kill[ed] Obamacare” and “saved the American taxpayer $2.5 billion.” On account of that move, health plans are set to receive only pennies on the dollar from the risk corridor program, which was supposed to cushion them from big losses.
I agree with Tim Jost that Rubio’s budget move has “drawn some blood.” In particular, the demise of many of the co-ops has been chalked up to low risk corridor payments. But in crucial respects, the dispute seems overheated. Unless I’m mistaken, Rubio hasn’t saved the American taxpayer a cent. Eventually, health plans will recover everything they’re owed.
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