Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In Budget Compromise, Minn. Lawmakers Opt Against Changes To State Health Exchange
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune: New Task Force Takes Up Potential MNsure Changes
A new task force will take up some of the biggest potential changes to the state’s MNsure exchange after lawmakers this weekend couldn’t reach agreement on several competing proposals. A massive spending bill for health and human services does not include House Republican plans to shift MinnesotaCare enrollees to the health exchange next year, nor does it include a Republican proposal to shut down MNsure in 2017. DFLers in the Senate, meanwhile, didn’t get their wish for MNsure to become more of a traditional state government agency. The MNsure board of directors will retain its authority, including choice of MNsure’s top executive. (Snowbeck, 5/18)
Minnesota Public Radio: MNsure Survives Session Intact Despite Lawmaker Anger
MNsure seemed headed for big changes and possibly closure when the Legislature opened in January. Now, as the session near its end, it appears MNsure won't be changing much at all. State lawmakers over the weekend agreed on a health and human services bill that falls far short of the changes some Democrats and Republicans had hoped to make to the health plan exchange. (Zdechlik, 5/18)
The Kansas Health Institute's News Service: Kansas Legislature Makes No Move To Shield ACA Subsidies
Some state legislatures are moving to shield residents’ federal health insurance subsidies in advance of a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Affordable Care Act. The Kansas Legislature is not among them. (Marso, 5/18)
The Associated Press: Vermont Health Connect Insurers Seeking Rate Increase
The organization that regulates health care in Vermont says the two providers offering health insurance through the state health exchange are seeking rate increases. The Green Mountain Care Board said Monday that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont has requested an average annual rate increase of 8.4 percent over 2015 rates while MVP Health Care has requested an average annual rate increase of 3 percent. (5/18)
