Iowa Presses Forward With Plan To Sidestep Health Law Rules Despite CMS’ Rejection Of Idaho’s Request
CMS ruled in Idaho's case that skirting the regulations is still illegal, but agency officials were willing to work with the state to offer the plans as short-term coverage. Meanwhile, other states are exploring their options to stabilize their marketplaces.
The Hill:
Iowa Seeks To Allow Insurers To Skirt ObamaCare Rules
Iowa’s governor is poised to sign legislation that would allow insurers to sell cheaper plans that don’t comply with certain ObamaCare consumer protection regulations. According to the Des Moines Register, the state Senate approved the bill Tuesday, and Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) is expected to sign it. (Weixel, 3/28)
CQ:
States Take Center Stage In Insurance Stabilization Efforts
States are on their own to stabilize their individual insurance markets ahead of the 2019 coverage year, after a major bipartisan health care deal in Congress fell apart last week. But the path forward won’t be easy with ongoing market uncertainty under the Trump administration and insurers preparing to file 2019 premium requests this spring, experts say. Some states are exploring setting up reinsurance programs to help insurers cover the sickest, most expensive Americans, as they look to rein in premiums for plans sold on the individual marketplace next year. But the process is lengthy, costly and politically challenging. (McIntire, 3/28)
The Star Tribune:
Smaller MNsure Premiums Buck National Trend
A new report finds that health insurance premiums available on the state's MNsure exchange in 2018 are lower than last year due in large part to a Minnesota state government program. Researchers from the Urban Institute said the average premium across the country for a 40-year-old nonsmoker moved the other way — growing this year by nearly one-third, according to a study released this month. (Snowbeck, 3/28)
