UPTON, STEARNS SEEK INFORMATION ON EXTENSIVE USE OF WAIVERS TO DETERMINE WHO MUST COMPLY WITH HEALTH CARE LAW

Washington, Jan 20 -

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman-designate Cliff Stearns (R-FL) today released a letter sent to the director of the new Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) seeking information about the office’s authority, structure, and recent decisions to grant widespread waivers of the health care law’s requirements. The CCIIO was created as a result of the controversial health care law enacted last year and has broad authority over the private health insurance coverage relied upon by millions of Americans.

“[Y]our office is currently responsible for deciding who does not have to comply with the massive new regulations imposed by the [Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]. Currently your office has approved waivers from the PPACA’s annual limits requirements for 222 applicants,” Upton and Stearns wrote. “In December at a meeting with Ranking Minority Member Michael Burgess, you stated that your office had also denied waiver requests. We would appreciate if your office would explain how a decision is made on whether compliance with the PPACA is necessary.”

The inquiry into the operations and activities of the CCIIO is part of a broader effort being undertaken by the Committee to scrutinize the massive bureaucracy created by the health care law and its consequences for consumers, employers, and health care quality and access.