Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Democrats, Advocates Press To Let Pregnant Women Enroll Anytime
The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Officials Pressed To Let Pregnant Women Enroll In Health-Law Plans At Any Time
The Obama administration is under increasing pressure to allow uninsured women who become pregnant to obtain health coverage at any time of the year through the Affordable Care Act’s federal exchange. More than 50 House Democrats delivered a letter Thursday to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell calling for immediate guidance that would classify pregnancy as a “qualifying life event.” ... More than 30 national health advocacy groups, including Families USA and Planned Parenthood, sent their own letter Thursday to HHS supporting the change. (Armour, 3/12)
Earlier related KHN story: Pregnant And Uninsured? Don’t Count On Obamacare (Galewitz, 2/18)
Politico Pro: Big Insurers Likely To Push Ahead, Smaller Plans May 'Hit Pause'
The Supreme Court Obamacare challenge could cut down the numbers of insurers expanding into new markets next year — even if the White House wins. And that could be a victory of sorts for the opponents of the health law, even if they lose in court. (Norman, 3/12)
The Hill: Study: Fewer Plans Cancelled Under ObamaCare In 2014
The flurry of media reports that said millions of people were losing their healthcare plans under ObamaCare in 2014 were likely overblown, according to a recent survey. Although a national survey from December 2013 found that one in five people had received a cancellation notice for their insurance, many of those customers were able to keep their plans in 2014 after changes to the government’s policy, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Urban Institute. (Ferris, 3/12)
The Fiscal Times: Americans Have Insurance But Can’t Afford to Use It
Although more Americans have health insurance coverage, 25 percent of non-elderly Americans don’t have enough liquid assets to cover the deductible on their health insurance plan, according to a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Braverman, 3/12)
