Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
10 States Approach Universal Coverage With Uninsured Rates Under 5%
Vox: The US Doesn’t Have Universal Health Care — But These States (Almost) Do
Universal health care remains an unrealized dream for the United States. But in some parts of the country, the dream has drawn closer to a reality in the 13 years since the Affordable Care Act passed. ... Today, 10 states have an uninsured rate below 5 percent — not quite universal coverage, but getting close. Other states may be hovering around the national average, but that still represents a dramatic improvement from the pre-ACA reality: In New Mexico, for instance, 23 percent of its population was uninsured in 2010; now just 8 percent is. (Scott, 11/26)
Fierce Healthcare: A Look At Budding Innovation In State-Based ACA Marketplaces
With their recent stability, the Affordable Care Act marketplaces are well-positioned for innovation, according to a new report. (Minemyer, 11/27)
Also —
Politico: Senate Republicans Shrug Off Trump's Latest Bid To Scrap Obamacare
Yes, Republicans still say they dislike Obamacare and want to bring health care costs down. But as far as scrapping the law? “I don't see that as being the rallying cry. I really don’t,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said. “Boy, I haven’t thought about that one in a while,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said. “I just don't know what [Trump's] thinking or how we would go about doing that. That fight, as you know, was six years ago now. And so, if he’s got some ideas, we’re open to them.” (Everett, 11/27)
The Washington Post: Trump Aims To ‘Terminate’ Obamacare Again, Despite Its Popularity
What’s clear is that an effort to “terminate” Obamacare is not something Americans are pining for. Not only were the GOP’s efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare during Trump’s term historically unpopular, but the law also appears to have gotten more popular since then. Perhaps most strikingly, this doesn’t even appear to be a major emphasis for the GOP base. (Blake, 11/27)
The New York Times: Biden Campaign Aims To Weaponize Trump’s Threat To Obamacare
The president’s aides quickly jumped on a statement by Donald Trump that he was “seriously looking at alternatives” to the health law. (Epstein, 11/27)
Axios: Why Trump's Vow To Repeal Obamacare Is A Gift To Democrats
Christmas has come early for Democratic campaign staffers, courtesy of former President Trump's vow over the holiday weekend to "never give up" on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Democrats are eager to revive their health care playbook from 2018, when the party rode a "blue wave" to the House majority by aggressively campaigning on Republican attempts to gut Obamacare. (Basu, 11/27)
