The American Gastroenterological Association is concerned over the Department of Justice's recent decision to stop defending key ACA provisions in court.
Here's what you should know:
1. The AGA is concerned provisions protecting patients with preexisting conditions or provisions preventing insurance companies from charging higher premiums because of age or gender could be threatened.
"AGA opposes any move that would weaken or eliminate patient protections for patients with preexisting conditions or allow insurers to unfairly charge patients more based on age and gender," a release reads. "AGA will continue to advocate for patient protections to ensure that patients have access and coverage of healthcare."
2. The AGA was surprised by the DOJ's decision, because it was contradictory to what was rumored.
3. When Republicans repealed the individual mandate last year, both political parties stated they supported the ACA's insurance reform provisions and viewed them as essential.
4. Looking back further to when Republicans attempted to repeal the ACA entirely, they specifically said their alternative would keep these patient protections.
5. The AGA believes the DOJ's decision creates uncertainty as insurers set their rates for 2019.
6. Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., introduced a proposal to stabilize insurance markets, but the AGA is unsure if legislators will attempt to pass it with midterm elections pending.