Following the exodus of UnitedHealthcare and Aetna from insurance exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama met Monday with the heads of some of the remaining payers to discuss the future of the federal insurance marketplace.
The morning meeting took place before a series of congressional hearings this week that focus on rising premiums and limited exchange participation.
Meeting attendees included Humana CEO Bruce Broussard. Humana announced plans to scale back involvement in the exchanges. Others were J. Brad Wilson, CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, which is mulling an exit from the marketplace in his state, and Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg, whose company is suing the federal government to recover money owed under the risk-corridor program.
Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini and UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley did not attend.
During the meeting, administration officials solicited ideas on how to further strengthen the marketplace.
Also on Monday, Obama sent a letter to every insurance company offering 2017 marketplace coverage to express the administration's commitment to working with them.
“Together, we have been part of historic changes to the United States health system that have improved health quality, equity, affordability, and outcomes," Obama said. “But our work is not over. I look forward to our continued success.”