Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Latinos Likely To Steer Clear Of Insurance Even Though Many Qualify For Subsidies
Los Angeles Times: Many Latinos Shun Obamacare For Fear Of Getting Relatives Deported
Lilian Saldana turned down Obamacare coverage once, and she might do it again. With sign-ups set to resume Saturday, the 23-year-old Covina resident and her younger sister are hesitant to enroll because their parents are immigrants who are not citizens and therefore ineligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. (Karlamangla and Terhune, 11/9)
The Detroit Free Press: ACA Fines For Businesses Start In 2015
For businesses across Michigan and the country, the Obama administration's one-year reprieve from financial penalties under the national health care law is nearing an end, forcing some employers to chose between buying coverage for employees or paying fines. At the same time, some small businesses that already offer health insurance are facing big price hikes next year as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan — the largest carrier in the state — has stopped allowing businesses to renew policies that aren't compliant with the Affordable Care Act. In their place it is offering more comprehensive, but pricier, insurance policies. (Reindl, 11/9)
Meanwhile, here's more on skinny plans --
The Oregonian: As Health Insurance Networks Get Skinnier, Consumers Must Get Savvier
Insurers are increasingly using narrow or "skinny" networks to keep costs down, allowing them to offer lower premiums in the new, highly competitive world of the individual and business markets. That means consumers need to pay more attention than ever, as networks and plans change from year to year. They should start by checking insurer websites to see if their provider is part of a network — and then they should check with their provider as well. (Budnick, 11/7)
