Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
ACA Special Enrollment Yields 2.5M Signups So Far; Window Closes Aug. 15
Modern Healthcare: 2.5M Sign Up During Exchange Special Enrollment Period
Over 2.5 million people have enrolled for coverage through HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces since the start of a special enrollment period that began in February, according to federal data. CMS reports that more than 1.8 million people purchased insurance through Healthcare.gov, while 723,000 used a state-based marketplace platform. The special enrollment period ends on Aug. 15. The Biden Administration extended the period to give consumers three more months to sign up through Healthcare.gov. (Gellman, 8/10)
Reuters: Amid COVID, 2.5 Mln People Sign Up For U.S. Health Insurance -White House
Two and a half million people so far have bought health insurance through the online marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act after the Biden administration allowed more time to enroll amid COVID-19, the White House said on Tuesday. Individuals and small businesses have until Sunday to buy coverage via healthcare.gov, the portal created by the law popularly known as Obamacare, as part of President Joe Biden's efforts to grapple with the pandemic and shore up the 2010 law passed when he served under President Barack Obama. (8/10)
And in news about food stamps —
CBS News: Food Stamps — Now $7 A Day — Are Set To Get Chopped
Soon after the pandemic shuttered the U.S. economy, food banks were overwhelmed by demand, with cars lined up for miles as people in need waited to pick up groceries. As the hunger crisis worsened, the federal government stepped in to increase food stamp benefits. Now that enhancement is set to expire at the end of September, just as many states are also rolling back an additional boost to food stamp payments. The extra funding has helped expand the daily food stamp benefit to $7 per person, up from $4 before the public health crisis, according to Ellen Vollinger, the legal/food stamp director at the Food Research & Action Center, or FRAC, an anti-hunger nonprofit group. (Picchi, 8/10)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Demand For Food Stamps In Georgia Remains High Despite Economic Recovery
The number of households receiving food stamp assistance has held steady for the past year after ballooning by 40% in the first six months after the COVID-19 pandemic hit Georgia. At the same time, fewer Georgians are receiving welfare benefits this year than last, a downward trend that’s existed for more than a decade as government officials sought to reduce the rolls. (Prabhu, 8/4)
