Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Finding Entrepreneurial Opportunity In The Health Law
The New York Times' Bits: Chasing Entrepreneurial Opportunity In The Affordable Care Act
Some foes of the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act portray the law as nothing less than socialist-style government control of American health care. Noah Lang, a health care entrepreneur, is not one of those people. Mr. Lang, chief executive of Stride Health, explains that the Affordable Care Act is one of two major developments in the last few years that have made it possible for a company like his San Francisco start-up to exist. The other big force, he says, is the explosion in available health data, led by government initiatives, notably HealthData.gov. (Lohr, 11/19)
Detroit Free Press: Hardship Exemption For Health Coverage Can Be Confusing
One quirky twist in the Affordable Care Act is that millions of uninsured people could need a year-end tax checkup, if they want to avoid headaches and penalties when they file their tax returns next year. Sure, taxes are already plenty confusing. But now uninsured people will need to examine why they're uninsured — and in some cases provide documentation — if they want to avoid tax penalties. Truly, we're looking at one mind-numbing tax maze. The Affordable Care Act includes many hurdles that tax filers do not understand yet. I wrote earlier about trip wires that could lead to smaller tax refunds for some who are insured and received the premium tax credit in advance. (Tompor, 11/20)
The Fiscal Times: Small Business Obamacare Solution Hasn’t Worked Yet
Obamacare’s Small Business health exchanges have fallen short of expectations on enrollment, functionality and cost – leading many to wonder if they’ll be able to survive in the years ahead. (Ehley, 11/19)
California Healthline: When Will We See Vision Coverage in the ACA's Exchanges?
Vision insurers argue that regular eye care can help to detect early signs of chronic diseases and cure or prevent vision problems. But for vision care to be included under the law, Congress would have to amend the original legislation or all basic health plans would have to be required to cover eye care. (Stuckey, 11/19)
