Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Even As President Pitches Health Law's Positives, New Implementation Problems Emerge
McClatchy: Obama Pitches Health Law In Call
President Barack Obama made a personal pitch for his health care act Tuesday, convening a call with what the White House says was a bipartisan group of 200 plus state and local elected officials. Most of them are working to enroll people in health plans under the Affordable Care Act and the White House says Obama noted that since last year “more than 10 million Americans have gained the financial security and peace of mind that comes with having health insurance.” (Clark, 11/18)
CQ Healthbeat: Subsidy Rules Could Have Unintended Consequences for Newly Employed
People who bought insurance through the marketplaces created last year by the health law and who then were offered medical coverage through an employer may feel as if they have more choices than ever before. But the arcane rules about federal subsidies for buying coverage could wind up costing them in the long run. Under the law, those offered employer-sponsored insurance that meets certain federal requirements are not eligible for subsidies that can be used in insurance marketplaces. Those who accept aid they’re not entitled to may wind up having to repay the government when they file their taxes in 2016. (Adams, 11/18)
Dallas Morning News: Health Law Provision Prompts Dallas To Lay Off Police Retirees
Retired Dallas police Sgt. Tom Wafer recently received a call from a commander that “shocked the fool” out of him: The city can’t let him or any of his fellow retirees watch police surveillance camera feeds anymore when the year is over because of an obscure provision of the Affordable Care Act. City officials say they had to cut Wafer, 74, along with two dozen other retired officers because the health care law put them in a costly bind. (Hallman and Benning, 11/18)
