Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Employers Seeking Ways To Prepare For Tax On Worker's Health Benefits
The Associated Press: 4 Ways Companies May Adjust To Looming Employee Benefits Tax
The taxman is coming to employer-sponsored health insurance, and his visit may trigger changes to your benefits. The health care overhaul calls for a 40-percent tax starting in 2018 on the value of employer-sponsored coverage that costs more than $10,200 for single plans and $27,500 for family insurance. Employers are working to avoid this tax by cutting costs that have been rising for several years. (Murphy, 9/30)
The Hill: Poll: 60 Percent Oppose Obamacare Cadillac Tax
The public opposes ObamaCare’s “Cadillac Tax” on high-cost health insurance plans by a wide margin, according to a new poll. (Sullivan, 10/1)
The Hill: Is Obamacare Debate Starting To Thaw?
In a nearly empty House chamber on Monday afternoon, a little-noticed bill came up for a voice vote. The few lawmakers on the floor shouted “aye,” no one shouted “no,” and the bill was passed. Changing Obamacare has rarely been so drama-free. Passage of the bill, which would adjust the healthcare law’s definition of a small employer, is raising hopes that more bipartisan tweaks to ObamaCare could be on the way. (Sullivan, 10/1)
