Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Consumers Who Opt Against Health Coverage May Be Surprised At Tax Penalty's Size
The Philadelphia Inquirer: Uninsured In 2016? Coverage Might Be Cheaper Than The Penalty
Are you among the shrinking number of Americans without health insurance? If so, you could face a hefty penalty in 2016. The cost of going without coverage is $695 or 2.5% of your income, whichever is greater. It will be added to the amount you owe in federal income tax when you file your return for the year. That’s a lot of money to pay when you get nothing in return. Many people choose to accept the penalty because they think it’s cheaper than the cost of coverage. But a lot of them may be wrong. (Field, 1/14)
Kaiser Health News: Study: Some Marketplace Customers Spend 25 Percent Of Income On Health Expenses
Even with subsidies to make coverage more affordable, many people who buy health insurance on the marketplaces spend more than 10 percent of their income on premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket payments, a recent study found. Among those hit hardest, the researchers said, are people who spend nearly a quarter of their income on health care expenses. (Andrews, 1/15)
And President Barack Obama remembers a key moment in his presidency —
The Wall Street Journal: President Obama’s Favorite Moment? The Night Obamacare Passed
President Barack Obama said Thursday that the best moment of his time at the White House came in March 2010, after the passage of his signature health-care bill. Mr. Obama has cited the shootings in Newtown, [Conn.], as the worst moment of his presidency. (1/14)
