Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
1.8M Americans Could Face Tax Filing Problems That Jeopardize Next Year's Subsidies
The Associated Press: Tax Filing Problems Could Jeopardize Health Law Aid For 1.8M
About 1.8 million households that got financial help for health insurance under President Barack Obama's law now have issues with their tax returns that could jeopardize their subsidies next year. Administration officials say those taxpayers will have to act quickly. "There's still time, but people need to take action soon," said Lori Lodes, communications director for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs HealthCare.gov. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 8/4)
The Des Moines Register: CoOportunity Failure Could Cost Feds $140M
The federal government could be out more than $140 million by the time a defunct Iowa health-insurance cooperative's finances are settled, a new court filing suggests. CoOportunity Health, which was created under the Affordable Care Act, went belly up last December after losing millions of dollars. Its financing included $147 million in loans from the federal government. That money was used to launch the company in 2012 and then to keep it afloat as it sold health-insurance policies to about 110,000 people in Iowa and Nebraska. (Leys, 8/4)
Los Angeles Times: Blue Shield Of California Owes $82.8 Million In Obamacare Rebates
Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California owes $82.8 million in rebates to consumers and small employers under requirements of the federal health law. The majority of that money, $61.7 million, will be divvied up among 454,000 individual policyholders who had Blue Shield coverage in 2014. The average rebate is $136. The remaining rebates of $21.1 million are owed to about 19,000 small employers. Customers will receive their money by the end of next month, according to the San Francisco insurer. (Terhune, 8/4)
The Associated Press: Wisconsin Health Care Leaders Say Medicaid Expansion Not Dead
Taking federal money to pay for expanding Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin isn't dead yet, even though Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans who control the Legislature have repeatedly refused to accept the funding, health care leaders in the state said Tuesday. Walker has touted his decision to reject the money while he runs for president, and Republican legislators have repeatedly voted down Democratic attempts to accept the money. The funding would make more people eligible for Medicaid and free up state money to pay for other priorities. (Bauer, 8/4)
