Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Markets In Flux: What's Happening On The Ground? What Are States Doing To Keep Obamacare Exchanges Working?
Politico: How The Trump Administration Is Spending Millions To Shore Up Obamacare
President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up Obamacare. But his own administration is separately dangling hundreds of millions of dollars before states to bail out their insurance markets. Alaska will get $323 million over the next five years to coax its lone Obamacare insurer to remain in the market and hold down premiums. At least four other states, including some that have vociferously opposed the Affordable Care Act, are seeking similar deals. ... The White House said Thursday it applauds the stabilization efforts even as Trump steps up the pressure on the Senate to resume efforts to try to pass legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. (Pradhan, 8/13)
The Hill: States Enter The Breach To Protect ObamaCare
State officials are using every tool at their disposal to try to keep their insurance marketplaces stable in the face of uncertainty from the Trump administration over the future of ObamaCare. Insurance commissioners are working with providers, advocates and insurance companies to help keep the system running, but it’s an uphill climb. (Weixel, 8/13)
Iowa Public Radio: Iowa's 'Stopgap' Insurance Plan Finds Public Support, Moves Toward Approval
The Iowa Insurance Division is getting close to finalizing its "stopgap" plan to prop up the state’s individual health insurance market under the Affordable Care Act. An independent economic analysis shows more Iowans will be able to keep their individual ACA health insurance if the federal government approves the state’s stopgap plan. (Sostaric, 8/11)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio Insurers Seek Up To 48 Percent Premium Hikes If Trump Yanks Federal Obamacare Subsidies
Ohio insurers in the Affordable Care Act market are filing new, substantially higher premium requests -- with average hikes as high as 48 percent -- in case President Donald Trump pulls the plug on federal money promised by President Obama. It is still possible their earlier rate requests for 2018, with increases of 20 percent or more, will hold. Those were already considered steep. (Koff, 8/12)
The Associated Press: Anthem To Stop Selling Individual Plans In Much Of Virginia
A third insurance company said Friday that it will stop offering individual health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act next year in Virginia, citing in part the uncertainty in Washington as lawmakers debate the future of the health care law. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that the decision was based on the shrinking individual market and “continual changes and uncertainty” in the operation, rules and guidance of the law. (Finley, 8/11)
Tampa Bay Times: Tampa Obamacare Sign-Up Organizers Brace For Shortened Enrollment, Less Help
As Republicans in Congress and the White House have an on-again, off-again debate about repealing Obamacare, a couple of developments on the ground are expected to affect this winter's open enrollment period for coverage. For one thing, Tampa is one of 18 cities nationwide affected by a Trump administration decision not to renew contracts with two companies that helped people sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. (Danielson, 8/14)
The Associated Press: Montana’s Health Co-Op Remains Standing As Others Falter
The Montana Health Co-op resumes accepting new enrollees on Sunday after withdrawing from the state’s health insurance exchange last year amid worries about its financial health. Chief Executive Officer Jerry Dworak asserts that the co-op is in position to absorb all 64, 000 Montanans who buy policies from the state’s health insurance exchange. (Calvan, 8/12)
