Rounds Calls for Administration to Reverse Obama-Era Regulations Limiting Consumer Choice

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined 13 of his colleagues in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Tom Price encouraging the administration to reverse Obama-era regulations that limit consumers' ability to purchase short-term, limited duration insurance plans. These plans offer consumers a variety of health benefits and are another option for health coverage, but a recent regulation decreased the maximum policy length of short-term plans from 364 days to just 90 days. As a result of this regulation, providers that once offered short-term plans may exit the market, leaving consumers in some locations with even fewer options for health insurance.

"Short-term, limited duration plans offered consumers a viable health coverage option until an Obama-era regulation went into effect that greatly restricted the availability of these policies," the senators wrote. "As health insurers continue to leave the Obamacare exchanges, consumers need more, not fewer, options for health insurance. Reversing this regulation will provide consumers with an important option for health coverage."

The letter was led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and signed by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

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