GAO: Small Business Obamacare Enrollment Fell Far Short Of Administration Expectations
The Government Accountability Office examined totals for state-run online health insurance marketplaces for small business, known as SHOP exchanges. Tallies from the 33 state exchanges that the federal government operated are not available yet, but researchers predict those numbers will be low, too.
The Washington Post:
Health Law’s Small-Business Enrollment Fell Far Short Of Expectations, GAO Finds
Small-business enrollment on new insurance marketplaces set up under the president’s health-care law has fallen well short of the administration’s expectations, according to government report released Thursday. The Government Accountability Office examined enrollment totals for the online small-business exchanges, commonly called SHOP exchanges, in states that built their own health insurance portals. Most states defaulted to a federally operated small-business marketplace — a complementary site to the more widely known individual exchange. Both exchanges are slated to relaunch this weekend. (Harrison, 11/13)
The Associated Press:
Small Business Insurance Exchanges Seek Rebound
Early enrollment for the health overhaul's small business insurance exchanges fell far short of the 2 million workers who were expected to sign up this year. The shortfall calls into question the future of the exchanges as they begin accepting enrollment for 2015. About 76,000 people had purchased coverage on 18 exchanges through June 1, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Enrollment figures from 33 state exchanges that are run through the federal government are not yet available, but researchers expect those totals to be low as well. (Murphy, 11/13)