Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Marketplace Customers Buy More Drugs Than Those With Other Plans, Study Finds
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Study: Those Who Buy Insurance Through Exchanges Use More Medications
People buying coverage on the nation’s new health insurance exchanges last year used more medications than a comparison group with commercial insurance, according to a new report. The finding fits with expectations that many of those who found coverage through the new marketplaces had unmet health care needs, said Michael Showalter, chief marketing officer at Eagan-based Prime Therapeutics, which released the report Wednesday. There was a surprisingly high use of medications for hepatitis C and HIV among people on the exchanges, Showalter said in an interview. But he said the higher use doesn’t necessarily signal a lasting financial problem for the new marketplaces. (Snowbeck, 3/19)
Health News Colorado: Lawmaker Increases Oversight Of Health Exchange
There’s a new sheriff in town. And her name is Ellen Roberts. For years, the legislative committee charged with keeping an eye on Colorado’s health exchange rarely met and mostly rubber-stamped reports and budgets from Connect for Health Colorado. Now Sen. Roberts, R-Durango, is the new chair of the committee and she plans to hold regular hearings to find out why glitches are hampering Colorado’s exchange. (Kerwin McCrimmon, 3/18)
Also, news outlets look at developments in efforts to expand Medicaid in other states.
The Associated Press: New Signups For Indiana Health Care Program Reach 100k
Indiana’s expanded health care program for low-income residents has enrolled more than 100,000 new people in the two months since it received federal approval. Gov. Mike Pence said Wednesday that sign-ups for the new Healthy Indiana Plan are off to a good start. (3/19)
The Associated Press: Walker Plans Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Bill Walker said he will introduce legislation to overhaul and expand the Medicaid system in Alaska. Walker, who campaigned on expanding Medicaid coverage, discussed his plans during a news conference Tuesday, surrounded by supporters. He and others wore blue buttons reading: “It’s the right thing to do.” (Bohrer, 3/18)
