GOP Senator Wants States To Be Able To Opt Out Of Obamacare If Subsidies Are Struck
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a freshman senator and a physician, recommends allowing states to opt out of the health law if the Supreme Court strikes down subsidies in federal exchange states. Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said the GOP will "rue the day" if the court strikes the subsidies.
The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire:
Sen. Cassidy Maps A Plan To Overhaul Obamacare
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is throwing his hat into the ring of Republicans vying to shape the party’s health care policy this summer. GOP lawmakers have been wrestling for months over what to do if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits in most of the country, a move that would upend a big part of the law. A decision is expected in June, and Republican leaders believe it will give them a chance to overhaul a law they have long opposed. Mr. Cassidy, a freshman senator and a physician before going into politics, outlined a plan to let states choose to opt out of the law, widely known as Obamacare, if the court strikes down the credits. (Radnofsky, 5/13)
The Associated Press:
Pelosi Predicts GOP Ruin On Health Care Case
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says Republicans will "rue the day" if the Supreme Court buys their arguments and invalidates tax subsidies for millions of people under President Barack Obama's health care law. Republicans have said they will try to ensure people don't lose coverage if the high court rules this summer against tax subsidies for health care coverage in certain states. But they haven't said how they would do it. (Werner, 5/13)
Knee replacement surgery was the most popular elective surgery among consumers who got insurance for the first time through Obamacare -
National Journal:
Knee Replacement Surgery Is The Most Popular Procedure Among The Newly Insured
Knee-replacement surgery was the most disproportionately popular "preference-sensitive" health care treatment that people who are newly insured under the Affordable Care Act received in the first few months of 2014, according to a new analysis from the Society of Actuaries. Preference-sensitive care, to untangle the jargon, is health care that you can put off without inviting a crisis, even if you might like to get it. A visit to the emergency room visit or to the doctor to manage a chronic condition like diabetes is not preference-sensitive. Getting your knee replaced, on the other hand, is more optional. (Scott, 5/13)
And three questions to help consumers sift through student health care choices -
The Associated Press:
3 Questions To Help Sort Student Health Coverage Choices
A key question remains for many students who've finally settled on a college destination: How will they or their parents handle health care coverage? A doctor's office visit can cost over $100 for someone without insurance. A car accident that turns into a short hospital day can quickly bury a student and his or her parents in more than $30,000 in debt. Plus those who skip coverage may face a penalty under the federal health care overhaul. Brokers say students heading off to school in the fall can finalize their insurance plans as late as July or August. But they should start thinking about their needs long before they begin packing for a dorm. (Murphy, 5/13)
