White House spells out opposition to Enzi grandfathering resolution

The White House on Wednesday released its statement of policy on Sen. Mike Enzi's (R-Wyo) resolution of disapproval regarding the grandfathering regulations of the healthcare reform law. The resolution, which is currently before the Senate, would eliminate a provision that exempts existing health plans from certain provisions of the law.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is backing the resolution, saying it is too onerous.

"By dismantling the Interim Final Rule that set out the conditions under which health plans can qualify for "grandfather" status, the resolution would limit individuals' and businesses' choice to keep the plan they had in place when the Affordable Care Act was enacted," the statement of policy reads. "Adoption of the joint resolution would result in significant uncertainty as to what kind of changes may be made to coverage without a loss of grandfather status. If S.J. Res. 39 were approved, it could be argued that any change in coverage could be made while retaining grandfather status, creating confusion about which plans are actually grandfathered and stripping consumers of additional benefits and protections."