Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Democrats Hope To Put Republican Senators On Hot Spot With Vote To Block Short-Term Plans
The Associated Press: Dems Will Try Forcing Senate Vote Against Trump Health Plan
Democrats will try forcing a campaign-season vote on blocking a Trump administration rule letting insurers sell short-term plans that are cheaper but skimpier than allowed under the Obama health care law, party leaders said Thursday. Though the effort has a chance of passing the narrowly divided Senate, it is certain to die in the Republican-controlled House and would never be signed by President Donald Trump. (Fram, 8/2)
The Hill: Senate Dems To Force Vote To Block Non-ObamaCare Insurance Plans
The resolution of disapproval will be introduced by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). During a call with reporters Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he thinks there will be unanimous support among Democrats once the resolution is introduced. The measure will only require 51 votes to pass, which would mean that in Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) absence the backers need to recruit one Republican to their cause. “All it takes is one or two Republicans who claim to support preexisting condition protections,” Schumer said. (Weixel, 8/2)
And here's what you should know about the changes —
Kaiser Health News: Watch: What You Should Know About The New Rule On Short-Term Health Plans
Kaiser Health News senior correspondent Julie Appleby explains on “PBS NewsHour” how the Trump administration’s approach to short-terms plans could make this form of health coverage more widely available. But the plans also could cause premium increases for those consumers who opt for more comprehensive insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. (8/2)
Modern Healthcare: Short-Term Health Plans: 10 Things To Know
The CMS projected that 600,000 people will buy the skinny coverage next year. Of those, 100,000 are currently uninsured, and 200,000 will switch from an Affordable Care Act plan. Outside analysts say that estimate is far too low. Because healthy people are most likely to bolt from the exchanges, expansion of short-term plans will increase federal spending on ACA premium subsidies by $28.2 billion over 10 years, the CMS estimated. (Meyer, 8/2)
