80 Percent Of Americans Want Health Law Changed Or Replaced, Poll Finds
Gallup found that 43 percent of people want to see the law change significantly, but not repealed, while thirty-seven percent want it repealed and replaced. In other news, KHN looks at how dismantling the health law will affect women's coverage beyond contraception access, environmental groups eye new health alliances as a rollback of the ACA threatens progress they've made, and an audit finds Minnesota's exchange improperly spent $1.2 million in grants.
McClatchy:
Change That Health Care Law, Say Vast Majority Of Americans
President-elect Donald Trump is eager to change the nation’s health care law – and most Americans are eager for some changes, a new Gallup Poll released Monday found. ... Trump had pushed repeal, though recently said he’d retain the ban on barring insurers from excluding consumers with pre-existing conditions, and permitting people under 26 to remain on their parents’ policies. Gallup found that 43 percent of people want to see the law change significantly, but not repealed. Thirty-seven percent want it repealed and replaced. (Lightman, 11/28)
Kaiser Health News:
Beyond Birth Control, Women Could Pay More For Insurance Again Under TrumpCare
As the prospect began to sink in of losing access to free contraceptives if the health law is repealed or replaced, women have reportedly been racing to get IUDs or stockpile birth control pills before President Barack Obama leaves office. But birth control is just the tip of the iceberg, advocates say. There are a number of other women’s health benefits that are also at risk. (Andrews, 11/29)
California Healthline:
Environmentalists Offer To Help Protect Health Care Under Trump
Environmental groups are laser-focused in their crusade for cleaner air and water, on curbing climate change, and preventing toxins from contaminating communities. But as they prepare for the Trump administration and Republican control of Congress, many of them say they’re rethinking their strategies and building new alliances. For Sierra Club California, that could mean working with health care advocates to prevent the rollback of the Affordable Care Act. (Bartolone, 11/29)
Pioneer Press:
MNsure Should Refund $1.2 Million To Feds, Audit Says
A federal audit says MNsure improperly spent $1.2 million in federal grants, but the state-run health insurance exchange is disputing most of the findings. The audit examined part of the $86.4 million in federal grant money MNsure spent through June 30, 2014, as it was preparing to launch in late 2013. In particular, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General focused on $930,000 in marketing spending and $346,000 in “establishment grants” to help build MNsure. The $346,000 was part of a broader $1.8 million expenditure divided between MNsure and public health programs such as Medicaid. The audit claims MNsure used old data to divide up the money and so improperly took $346,000 that should have gone to public programs if better data had been used. (Montgomery, 11/28)
