Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Law Brings 11 Million People Into Medicaid Or CHIP
The Hill: 11M Gained Medicaid Coverage Under Obamacare
More than 11 million more people have health insurance under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) compared to when the core of ObamaCare took effect in 2013, according to data the administration released Friday. (Sullivan, 3/20)
Modern Healthcare: Medicaid Insurers Look For New Growth Opportunities
The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion has had a positive impact on health insurers' business, but now plans are looking for other ways to grow. Medicaid plans experienced an initial bump of 10.8 million new enrollees in 2014 because of the healthcare reform law. But future growth among those newly eligible members in the 28 states that have approved expansion won't be as large, some experts say. (Sandler, 3/21)
Other outlets report on questions about the future of state-run insurance marketplaces.
The Wall Street Journal: Paul Ryan Urges State Lawmakers Not To Set Up Health-Insurance Exchanges
Rep. Paul Ryan urged state lawmakers to resist setting up state insurance exchanges if the Supreme Court rules that key parts of the Affordable Care Act can only continue if they do so. “Oh God, no…The last thing anybody in my opinion would want to do, even if you are not a conservative, is consign your state to this law,” the Wisconsin Republican told state legislators Thursday during a conference call organized by the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative think-tank. The foundation provided a recording of the call. (Radnofsky, 3/20)
The Associated Press: It's Game Time For MNsure With Survival At Stake
After two years marked largely by disappointment, lawmakers and health care experts warily are eyeing Minnesota's health insurance exchange as it nears its toughest test yet. The federal money MNsure heavily has leaned on will be gone by the end of the year, and it will have to keep afloat from the fees it pulls in from private plan sign-ups. Health care consultants and academics say it's too early to declare MNsure and other state-run exchanges unsustainable, but they see troubling signs. (Potter, 3/22)
