Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
More Employers Moving Toward High-Deductible Plans And Prescription Drug Limits
The Washington Post: Healthcare Costs Are Still Going Up. Here’s How D.C.-Area Employers Are Compensating.
Seven years after the passage of the federal Affordable Care Act, health care costs are still going up at a robust rate for many in the region, according to a new survey of Washington area companies. Health insurance costs at a broad sample of local companies are projected to increase by 7.3 percent in 2016, the Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area reported. The association, which represents area human resource executives, said the survey found more local employers are offering higher-deductible plans and putting new restrictions on expensive prescription drugs. (Gregg, 8/26)
And the long-term health costs for Pulse victims could be in the millions —
Orlando Sentinel/Tampa Bay Tribune: Pulse Victims Could Need More Than Millions Collected So Far, Analysts Say
An insurance underwriter from Jacksonville, [Frederick] Johnson was shot twice during the Pulse nightclub attack that left 49 people dead. He no longer has sensation in his left arm and can't move his fingers on that hand. And while he was relieved last week to learn Orlando hospitals won't bill the victims, he still faces ongoing physical therapy — currently at $700 a week — and potentially long-term mental-health counseling. (Hayes and Santich, 8/28)
