IRS Aggressively Enforcing Employer Mandate Despite Trump’s Promise That Health Law Is All But Dead
Business groups want relief from the mandate, but lawmakers have little appetite to take up any more changes in this politically charged election year. Meanwhile, Idaho officials are still trying to figure out ways to sell plans that don't comply with health law regulations.
The New York Times:
Trump Says He Got Rid Of Obamacare. The I.R.S. Doesn’t Agree.
At a rally in Michigan a little over a week ago, President Trump assured his supporters that he had kept his promise to abolish the Affordable Care Act — even though Congress had failed to repeal the Obama-era health law. “Essentially, we are getting rid of Obamacare,” Mr. Trump said, reminding a cheering crowd that the individual mandate that required most people to have health insurance or pay a penalty was scrapped as part of the Republican tax bill he signed into law last year. “Some people would say, essentially, we have gotten rid of it.” (Rappeport, 5/6)
CQ:
Proposed Rate Increases May Renew Political Focus On Health Law
Insurers in some states have started filing their 2019 premium rate requests, an annual process set to thrust the health care law back into the political spotlight. The step comes as primaries for the November midterm elections are underway, and as some conservative groups are urging congressional leaders to refocus their attention on the Democrats’ health law. Democrats, meanwhile, are plotting how to highlight for voters next year’s insurance rates, which analysts expect to continue to rise. (McIntire, 5/7)
The Associated Press:
Idaho, Feds Wading Through Details Of Insurance Proposal
Idaho officials are hoping to allow insurers to sell plans that don't comply with former President Barack Obama's health care law. The move is needed to save Idaho's insurance exchange as premiums continue to rise and some healthy residents opt to go uninsured, Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron says. But the federal government hasn't signed off, with agency leaders noting they are bound by law to enforce the Obama-era health insurance rules. (5/6)
In other news from the states —
The Hill:
ObamaCare Insurers In Virginia Propose Major Premium Hikes For 2019
Two of Virginia’s ObamaCare insurers are requesting significant premium hikes for 2019, according to initial filings released Friday. Both Cigna and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield cited policies advocated by the Trump administration, including the repeal of ObamaCare's individual mandate, as part of its justifications for the increases. (Weixel, 5/4)
The CT Mirror:
CT Lawmakers Ask Malloy To Help Shore Up Obamacare
With little hope of shoring up the Affordable Care Act in Washington, congressional Democrats, including the members of Connecticut’s delegation to the U.S. House, are asking governors and state legislatures to help. Led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, the five members of Connecticut’s House delegation wrote Gov. Dannel P. Malloy last week outlining what they say are steps the state can take to prevent another sharp increase in health insurance rates and a rise in the number of uninsured residents — by as much as 21 percent. (Radelat, 5/4)
And an oft-forgotten provision in the health law goes into effect —
Politico:
Obama’s Calorie Rule Kicks In Thanks To Trump
One of Barack Obama’s top food policy rules has escaped Donald Trump’s war on regulations. Starting Monday, calorie counts will have to be posted at thousands of restaurants, grocery stores and movie theaters, representing a milestone change in how the food industry shares information with the American public. The rule, an oft-forgotten provision of Obamacare, is being pushed over the finish line by a Trump nominee, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who says the labeling requirement is simply about transparency. (Evich, 5/7)
Kaiser Health News:
Today’s Special: Obamacare Menu Labeling Rules Ushered In
The law, intended to nudge Americans to eat healthier, applies to chains with at least 20 stores.And it won’t be just fast-food and sit-down restaurants that are affected. Grocers, convenience stores, movie theaters, pizza delivery companies and even vending machines must meet the new requirements.The menu labeling rules will improve public health, the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said last week in an interview. He pointed to studies showing that enlightened customers order, on average, up to 50 fewer calories a day. (Galewitz, 5/7)
