WASHINGTON - Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies believe that health insurance should be available to everyone, regardless of their medical condition, and that coverage must be more affordable for patients, families and taxpayers. Further, we believe key consumer protections should remain in place.

We are encouraged that the proposed Senate health reform legislation includes several urgently needed and important steps to help make the individual market for insurance more stable and affordable in 2018 and 2019. These include strong incentives for people to stay covered continuously, funding the cost-sharing reduction program to help people with out-of-pocket costs and providing additional, dedicated funds to care for those with significant medical needs.

As a nation, we also have an obligation to protect low-income people and the most vulnerable among us. We are committed to working with Congress and state officials to ensure that healthcare is affordable and accessible for all Americans. We must also come together to address the underlying cost of medical care and work to ensure that patients benefit from quality, coordinated care. This will help people get healthier faster, stay healthy longer--and keep costs in check for everyone.