Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Have Recent Big-Name Departures Taken The Power Out Of AHIP's Punch?
The Hill: Departures Test Clout Of Insurance Lobbyist
America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has been the voice of the health insurance industry for years, but questions have been swirling about whether the association carries the same political clout it once did. Three of the country’s five largest insurance companies have left the group, and the industry has lost some key policy battles with the Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress. (Weixel, 1/30)
In other insurance and marketplace news —
Nashville Tennessean: Three Open Enrollment Takeaways For Nashville
The most recent open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces was unique. It was the first administered under anyone other than former President Obama, it was half as long as previous periods, and it was the last open enrollment for which the individual mandate applies. These different circumstances may be signals of what’s to come for the ACA. (Tolbert, 1/29)
San Jose Mercury News: Midnight Wednesday Is Sign-Up Deadline For 2018 Health Plans
As Wednesday’s midnight deadline approaches to enroll in a 2018 healthcare plan under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance broker Jonathan Greer is fielding calls from harried consumers buying policies at the last minute. He’s noticed, however, that many people are still confused about the recent repeal of the law that affects individuals. (Seipel, 1/29)
Kaiser Health News: Idaho ‘Pushing Envelope’ With Health Insurance Plan. Can It Do That?
For the past year, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have led a charge to roll back the Affordable Care Act, signaling an openness to state changes. Now, Idaho has jumped in, saying it will allow insurers to ignore some ACA rules on plans not sold on the marketplace, aiming to make these state-based plans less costly. Several of the changes are viewed by the law’s supporters as hits to its core consumer protections. (Appleby, 1/30)
