Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Judge Blocks Shortened ACA Enrollment Period
Modern Healthcare: ACA Enrollment, Eligibility Rule Mostly Blocked By Federal Judge
A federal judge struck several parts of a health insurance exchange enrollment and eligibility rule. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on Friday vacated several provisions from the 2025 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule. A group of cities and nonprofits challenged the provisions last year, alleging they violated the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946. (Tepper, 6/12)
KFF Health News: Long-Awaited Rule Aims To Boost ACA Choices While Embracing Higher Deductibles
The Affordable Care Act seems to always be in a policy tug-of-war as its backers and critics spar over how it should work and who can qualify for coverage. This year is no different, with the Trump administration embracing standards it says will reduce fraud as well as steps that could further erode national enrollment. Wide-ranging ACA changes pushed by the administration were finalized in mid-May, including new offerings such as plans with 30% higher out-of-pocket costs, and others with no set networks of doctors and hospitals. (Appleby, 6/15)
KFF Health News: They’re Uninsured After Obamacare Became Too Costly. And They’re Far From Alone
Year after year, Ross and Rebecca Tobiassen saw their healthcare costs rise, having relied on the Affordable Care Act for federally subsidized health insurance since its start in 2014. Year after year, the couple in western North Carolina kept their coverage, believing the peace of mind was worth the cost. But in December, that changed. The Tobiassens decided to cancel their insurance when Rebecca saw the cost of their monthly premiums would jump from $130 to more than $550. “It makes no sense,” she said. “It’s not worth it anymore.” (Jones, 6/15)
The Hill: Democrats Seek Next ObamaCare Ahead Of Midterms Amid Affordability Concerns
There is growing momentum within the Democratic Party to find its next ObamaCare heading into the midterms, as healthcare costs become more untenable and American anger over affordability persists. Healthcare has consistently ranked as a top issue for voters heading into this year’s midterm elections. June polling from Emerson College found that healthcare ranked in the top five issues for voters, behind the economy, threats to democracy and immigration. (Choi, 6/12)
Regarding Medicaid and Medicare —
Stat: State Medicaid Crackdowns On Caregiving Worries People With Disabilities
It’s hard for Jennifer Kucera to escape the past. The nursing home where she says she got scabies, was punched in the face, and was sexually assaulted is just three short blocks away from her current home in Berea, Ohio. (Broderick, 6/15)
Axios: Medicare Weight-Loss Drug Coverage Could Overwhelm Doctors
Next month's launch of a Medicare program providing weight-loss drugs for $50 a month is expected to unleash pent-up demand for Wegovy, Zepbound and other blockbuster treatments — and create new bottlenecks at doctors' offices. It could become one of the biggest drug rollouts ever — and it could test an already burdened system as seniors seek new GLP-1 prescriptions. (Reed, 6/15)
