Political Quotes

“Continuing: The [Health and Human Services] and administration officials knew that the CO-OPS were at risk even before they received their first ``loan'' in 2014. Senator Rob Portman, Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said that the HHS knew of serious problems concerning the failed CO-OPS enrollment strategies, pricing and financial management before the department ever approved their initial loans. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the CMS, testified before a House subcommittee that 8 of the 11 remaining CO-OP companies were in serious financial difficulty and receiving ``enhanced oversight'' and ``corrective action.'' Dr. Cohen did not explain what that ``corrective action'' or ``enhanced oversight'' consisted of nor could she indicate the enrollment figures and the possibility of financial survival for the CO-OPS that were being monitored. Also, 4 more CO-OPS have failed over the first half of 2016, leaving only 7 remaining. I am not sure what today's number is. The HHS continued to make these federal loans though they knew the CO-OPS were failing. Under the small business health plans, there is no requirement to have the Federal Government fund it unless we want to fund more oversight. I am not opposed to that either. So What are the American People Think of This? There has been greater than $1 billion dollar loss of taxpayer money to CO-OPS that have gone bankrupt. Only 7 of the initial 23 CO-OPS remain in business.…”