Who’s Affected By Insurers’ Pullbacks And What It Could Mean For The ACA’s Future

Aetna last week joined other health insurers in withdrawing from many of the health exchanges set up under the Affordable Care Act. The company cited an unsustainable financial situation. But that motive is being questioned: It was revealed last week that Aetna had earlier warned it would reduce its presence in the exchanges if the Justice Department sued to block its deal to acquire Humana. The government filed that suit last month. Regardless, this latest pullback from Obamacare leaves a lot of questions about competitive options in the exchanges, how consumers will be affected and the future of the law.

KHN’s Julie Rovner joined a panel of guests on The Diane Rehm Show on Aug. 18 to discuss the move and how it might affect the presidential campaign.