- While the overall number of people buying coverage in the health law’s exchanges rose, the number of people not getting help with their premiums fell for the third-straight year. While some consumers may have found other coverage (through Medicare or jobs), rising premiums have been a problem.
- The court decision blocking Kentucky’s Medicaid work requirement does not necessarily preclude other states’ work requirements from going forward. But the decision is likely to spark lawsuits in those states that have already had their work programs approved by HHS.
- The window for bipartisan action on health care costs on Capitol Hill has closed. The Justice Department’s decision to join the state attorneys general lawsuit on preexisting conditions was likely the last straw. Issues surrounding coverage of preexisting conditions will now likely dominate the political discussion leading up to the midterm elections this fall.
- Two things worth noting from the month of June. First, the recent court decision on risk-corridor payments to insurers seems to be a significant blow to the industry. Also, the Trump administration announced a major reorganization of Cabinet-level agencies. Although this is a common step for an administration, and something that rarely moves beyond “pie-in-the-sky” discussions, this one seems to be encapsulating the debate about the safety-net and social welfare programs.
