Health Law Critics Say States Are Not Rechecking Eligibility Of New Medicaid Recipients
Fox News examines concerns that states are not adequately monitoring people who qualified for the health care program for low-income residents when it expanded under the health law. Other outlets also look at addiction coverage under the law, concerns about birth control coverage and fears about a future cost-control measure.
Fox News:
States Wasting Millions By Keeping Ineligible Recipients On Obamacare’s Medicaid Rolls, Critics Say
States are wasting millions of taxpayer dollars under ObamaCare's massive Medicaid expansion by failing to regularly check the eligibility of program recipients, critics charge. (Singman, 5/5)
Marketplace:
Why Health Coverage Alone Won't Solve Addiction
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions more Americans now have insurance that will cover addiction treatment, with spending on addiction treatment expected to almost double by 2020. But a new report in the journal Health Affairs finds that despite newfound access, many facilities lack the capacity to take on new clients. Even with expanded access, University of South Carolina’s Christina Andrews says that coverage alone isn't getting many new patients in the door. (Gorenstein, 5/5)
The Hill:
Dems Call For Crackdown On Insurers Over Birth Control Mandate
Senate Democrats are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to take action against health insurance companies that are ignoring an ObamaCare provision that guarantees free or low-cost birth control, which they call a "troubling nationwide trend." A group of 38 Democrats sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell on Tuesday raising alarms that some insurance companies and pharmacies are making it difficult for women to access contraception. (Ferris, 5/5)
The Hill:
500 Groups Urge Repeal Of ObamaCare Cost-Cutting Panel
Over 500 organizations are calling on Congress to repeal a Medicare cost-cutting board that is part of ObamaCare. At issue is the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), charged with coming up with ways to cut Medicare spending if it rises above a certain threshold. ... The 500 groups (which include multiple chapters of the same organization), are largely healthcare providers, and are worried about cuts in payments under the board. (Sullivan, 5/5)
And in state news -
The Connecticut Mirror:
Obamacare Special Enrollment Period Draws 1,429 New Customers
More than 1,400 people signed up for health care coverage through the state’s health insurance exchange last month during a special enrollment period for those who paid a penalty on their taxes for not having coverage last year. (Levin Becker, 5/5)
Minnesota Public Radio:
MNsure Leader Leaving At A Delicate Time For The Exchange
MNsure will soon have its third chief executive in less than two years. Scott Leitz will resign at the end of the month as CEO of Minnesota's health insurance exchange. (5/5)
