Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Dems: Republicans Using Court System To Hurl The Health Law Marketplace Into Chaos
The Hill: House Dems Push Back Against GOP ObamaCare Lawsuit
House Democrats on Monday accused Republicans of an “end-run around the law” as they pushed back on a GOP lawsuit against ObamaCare. House Democrats filed a brief in federal court defending the Obama administration in a lawsuit, House v. Burwell, brought by House Republicans. The GOP argues that certain ObamaCare payments are being made unconstitutionally because Congress has not appropriated the money. (Sullivan, 10/31)
Morning Consult: House Democrats File Amicus Brief In GOP Obamacare Lawsuit
House Democrats argue in an amicus brief filed Monday that a lawsuit brought by House Republicans against the Obama administration over the Affordable Care Act should not have standing in court. Led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, 11 top Democrats filed the brief arguing the dispute should not be settled in court, but that even if the case has standing, the Obama administration acted lawfully by reimbursing insurers for cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act. (McIntire, 10/31)
In related news —
The Hill: Popular ObamaCare Provision Hampering Push For Millennials
One of the most popular pieces of ObamaCare could be hurting the administration’s push to attract more young people into the wobbly marketplace, according to several people who helped shape the law. ... Because of the healthcare law, the White House says nearly 3 million young people under the age of 26 have been able to stay on their parents’ insurance plans and don’t have to shop for coverage on HealthCare.gov. That’s about double the number of young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who are currently covered through the exchanges. (Ferris, 11/1)
Kaiser Health News: As Insurers Cut Brokers’ Commissions, Consumers May Have One Less Tool For Enrollment
With open enrollment set to begin, some health insurance brokers are already fielding questions about coverage and whether existing plans will still be available next year. For an increasing number of brokers, there’s also another question: Will they get paid? (Appleby, 11/1)
California Healthline: Blue Shield Again Owes Californians Millions In Health Care Rebates
Blue Shield of California, already under scrutiny from the Department of Managed Health Care, is on the hook for almost $25 million this year to enrollees and the employers that cover them and their dependents. A rule in the Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to pay customers back when the insurers don’t spend enough money on medical care. (Bartolone, 11/1)
