Congress faces tight deadline to reduce Obamacare premiums

Congress needs to reach a deal to fund payments to Obamacare insurers by the end of September if lawmakers want to avoid even heftier price increases for customers, experts say.

The deadline illustrates the major task Congress faces as it tries to reach a bipartisan deal to fund cost sharing reduction payments, known as CSRs, to reimburse insurers for reducing out-of-pocket costs for low-income Obamacare enrollees next year. If negotiations spill into October, it may be too late to reduce premiums for enrollees next year, some experts say. The White House has not said if it intends to make the payments.

Uncertainty in Obamacare's marketplaces has been a constant theme as insurers prepare for 2018. Congress has grappled with legislation to repeal and replace the law for much of the year, but those efforts are on hold after a narrow defeat in the Senate.

Now lawmakers are turning their attention to shoring up the individual market, which includes Obamacare's exchanges and is used by people who don't have insurance through their employer.

Congress can make an appropriation for the payments if President Trump decides not to fund them. Bipartisan work is expected to start when lawmakers return after Labor Day from their August recess.