Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies remain true to our principles

Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies remain true to our principles:

• Health insurance should be available to everyone, regardless of pre-existing conditions.
• Healthcare must be more affordable for patients, families and taxpayers, and key protections – such as equal rates for women and men, no lifetime caps on benefits and allowing young people to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26 – should remain in place.
• States should be empowered to meet the needs of their communities, because they know their local healthcare systems and their citizens’ needs best.

There is much work to be done!

In order to have a health insurance system in which everyone can obtain coverage regardless of their health status, there must be a balance among those enrolled that includes healthier individuals along with those who need significant care. To achieve this, we need strong incentives for younger, healthier people to obtain coverage and for everyone to stay covered year-round.

There must be sustained federal funding to support the cost of caring for those with serious health conditions. This is essential to make premiums more affordable for everyone. Likewise, financial assistance to help people afford coverage must be adequate, and take into account an individual’s income and age, as well as regional differences in healthcare costs.

Only with all of these elements working together can consumers have the choices they want at a price they can afford.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies will remain true to our principles, to our members, and to our leadership role in shaping the future of healthcare in America. We are committed to work toward a permanent solution for the American people, and the peace of mind that comes with it.