Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Law Headaches: Employers Not Ready, Technology, Taxes
Politico Pro: Survey: Many Employers Aren’t Ready For Obamacare Mandate
Most companies are not prepared for Obamacare’s employer mandate, and nearly two-thirds of large employers are increasing workers’ share of their health care costs, according to a report released Thursday. (Norman, 1/15)
Politico Pro: Obamacare Reform Effort Hampered By Technology
An Obamacare program that was supposed to spearhead movement toward prioritizing health over medical procedures is stuck with the same big problem as the rest of the health care system: The information isn’t flowing smoothly, so doctors have trouble coordinating the care of their patients. Doctors and hospitals who work in accountable care organizations, which were created under the Affordable Care Act, are finding it hard to share electronic records with each other or with other hospitals and providers. (Pittman, 1/16)
Bloomberg: Obamacare Will Make Filing Taxes An Even Bigger Headache For Millions
Obamacare is about to collide with the U.S. tax-filing season, adding frustration for millions of taxpayers trying to figure out how to comply and how much they will owe the government. Tax filing for 2014 opens Jan. 20. The biggest change for most taxpayers is on Line 61 of Form 1040: a box to check if you have health insurance and a tax to pay if you don’t. Millions who received insurance through Obamacare’s exchanges will have a more complicated set of calculations to complete. (Rubin, 1/15)
The Miami Herald: Airport Companies Move Workers Onto Employer Health Plans -- Like It Or Not
Two companies that employ baggage handlers and other workers at Miami International Airport forced employees to sign up for company-sponsored healthcare plans and pay part of the cost from their hourly wages even if the workers already had coverage through an outside source such as a spouse or the military. Workers at the two companies, Ultra Aviation Services and Eulen America, were automatically enrolled in the employer plans starting Jan1. (Nehamas, 1/15)
ML Live/Kalamazoo Gazette: Planned Parenthood Closing Battle Creek Clinic At End Of January; Obamacare Cited As Factor
Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan is closing its Battle Creek clinic, citing "increasing competition and declining patient demand" as a result of the Affordable Care Act. The last day of operation will be Jan. 31. Spokeswoman Desiree Cooper said the need for Planned Parenthood's health-care services has declined because of the ACA, which has greatly improved access to subsidized contraceptives and women's health-care services. (Mack, 1/13)
Still, many health care executives say they think the law is here to stay --
Reuters: U.S. Health Care Execs Say Obamacare Not Going Anywhere
U.S. healthcare executives say Obamacare is likely here to stay, despite repeated calls from Republican lawmakers for repeal of the 2010 law aimed at providing health coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. Top executives who gathered in San Francisco this week for the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference, say that while President Obama's signature domestic policy achievement may well be tweaked, it is too entrenched to be removed. (Beasley and Morgan, 1/15)
