Put ‘affordable’ back in the ACA

Last month, Congress had the opportunity to pass legislation that stabilized the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace. Unfortunately, measures to help stabilize the marketplace fell through. Even before the passing of the omnibus bill, there have been multiple attempts to keep health care costs in check, such as funding cost-sharing reductions and providing a reinsurance waiver program for states. These have all failed.

The state of the ACA has been unstable for too long. This year, premiums increased by double digits. Families and individuals in Nevada cannot afford these payments. What’s worse, premiums for 2019 are expected to increase by double digits again. Congress must act to ensure health insurance is affordable. That was the original promise of the ACA. Nevada’s federal delegation cannot continue to ignore this problem while families struggle.

The writer is a state senator representing District 3.