Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cuts To Medicaid, ACA Put Latinos At Risk Of Losing A Decade Of Gains, Group Warns
WLRN Public Media: Report: Latinos Face 'Unprecedented' Health Coverage Losses Amid Cuts To Medicaid, ACA
A new report released by UnidosUS, the nation's largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, warns that a decade of progress in Latino healthcare is threatened by the Trump administration's cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The findings suggest that more than 4 million Latinos are among the 14 million Americans projected to lose health insurance over the next decade due to the federal cuts to both national programs. (Bustos, 5/10)
Modern Healthcare: ACA Enrollment Losses Reshape Centene, Molina Healthcare Outlooks
Health insurance exchange customers are fleeing the market in significant numbers, first-quarter earnings reports from large insurers reveal. Publicly traded insurers such as Centene, Molina Healthcare and Elevance Health disclosed that a larger-than-usual share of people who signed up during the open enrollment period are dropping out. These health insurance companies expect aggregate exchange enrollment will shrink by at least 20% over the course of the year owing to huge premium increases and the expiration of enhanced subsidies. (Tepper, 5/8)
The Hill: Health Insurance Marketplace Feels Growing Tremors From GOP Cuts
State Obamacare marketplaces are starting to feel tremors from the GOP-controlled Congress’s ending of enhanced subsidies, as millions of Americans are dropping coverage. Experts and state officials say the impact varies from state to state, but enrollment decline is expected to grow this year and beyond, as policies from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and potential Trump administration regulation changes take effect. (Weixel, 5/10)
KFF Health News: As Ranks Of Uninsured Grow, Minnesota’s Hospitals Are Among Least Charitable In Nation
Cori Roberts was living in a rented basement four years ago when she was diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer. Recently divorced, the former stay-at-home mother had started working again in her mid-40s, taking a human resources job that paid $41,000 a year. Then, despite having insurance, she was hit with more than $8,000 in medical bills. “I had my car and a basket of clothes,” Roberts recalled. “Medical bills were not something I could have afforded.” (Levey and Olson, 5/11)
Also —
Stat: Inside The $5 Billion Battle Over No Surprises Act's Rules On Disputes
Any day now, the federal government is supposed to unveil a suite of changes to the No Surprises Act’s controversial arbitration process. Health care providers and insurers are racing to have the final word before the new rules are published, but one side is getting a lot more face time with officials. (Bannow, 5/11)
KFF Health News: Watch: 8 Health Insurance Terms You Should Know
Health insurance in the U.S. is notoriously confusing. So we’re covering the basics to make navigating your plan a little easier. We explain the difference between a deductible and an out-of-pocket limit, define copay and coinsurance, and point out where surprise bills can get you in trouble, from out-of-network providers to prior authorizations. (Fortiér, 5/11)
