Insurers Revisit Plans To Narrow Provider Networks
The Wall Street Journal reports that some insurers are beefing up the provider networks included in health-law plans in response to concerns about access to care. Meanwhile, Kathleen Sebelius passes the baton to Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the new Health and Human Services secretary.
The Wall Street Journal: Insurers Fill Gaps in Health-Law Plans
Health insurers in several states are adding to the choices of doctors and hospitals in their health-law plans amid concerns among some consumers and state officials about access to care. In states including New York, Connecticut and Ohio, insurers have bolstered their health-care provider networks in recent months. In California, three of the biggest insurers -- WellPoint Inc. 's Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and Health Net Inc. have all added substantially to their lists (Wilde Mathews, 6/9).
The Hill: Sebelius Hands Reins To Successor
Kathleen Sebelius handed leadership of the Health and Human Services Department to her successor on Monday and wished new Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell the best of luck. Sebelius, who oversaw the passage and implementation of ObamaCare at the agency, is concluding an up-and-down tenure (Al-Faruque, 6/9).
And more on why the Congressional Budget Office won't score parts of the health law --
Kaiser Health News: Health On The Hill: Budget Referees Make It Harder To Evaluate Obamacare Costs
The Congressional Budget Office will no longer evaluate the fiscal implications of some parts of the Affordable Care Act, partly because of all the changes made during implementation. Kaiser Health News' Mary Agnes Carey and The Fiscal Times' Eric Pianin discuss the developments (6/9).
