Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obamacare Exchanges Are Deteriorating But Not Imploding
The Associated Press: Government Health Insurance Markets Holding Up--Barely
Enough insurers are planning to sell coverage on the Affordable Care Act's insurance exchanges next year to keep them working — if only barely — in most parts of the country. Competition in many markets has dwindled to one insurer — or none in some cases — and another round of steep price hikes is expected to squeeze consumers who don't receive big income-based tax credits to help pay their bill. (Murphy, 6/21)
The Washington Post: Obamacare’s Exchanges Face Their Moment Of Truth
Insurers hit a major deadline Wednesday: They must inform regulators in 39 states whether they will sell insurance on many Affordable Care Act marketplaces and, if so, how much they would like to charge. It's something of a moment of truth for the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces, whose health depends in large part on the participation of private insurers. And so far, states are seeing mixed results: One major insurer has made a big pullout, while a different one announced it would expand into new states. (Johnson, 6/21)
The New York Times: With Health Law In Flux, Insurers Scramble To Meet Filing Deadline
While the Wednesday deadline does not represent a final commitment by any insurer, “it will be a good indicator of the health of these markets,” said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, whose home state of Wisconsin was among those Anthem plans to exit, pointed to the decision as reason the Republicans needed to pass their overhaul of the health care legislation. “This law has failed our state,” he said. “Obamacare is clearly collapsing, and we have to step in before more families get hurt.” (Abelson, 6/21)
Marketplace: As Big Insurers Flee Obamacare Exchanges, Others Are Jumping In
But while some companies are jumping ship, others are jumping in — like New York startup Oscar, and Centene, based in St. Louis. Why do these companies see this moment as an opportunity when many others are fleeing? (Adams, 6/21)
NPR: Health Insurers Struggle To Plan Coverage For Next Year
The Senate vote on a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act is, according to conventional wisdom, one week away. And we still don't know what's in the bill. Not having concrete information is deeply uncomfortable for a journalist like me. But for lots of people, like those who work in the insurance industry, not knowing what's in that bill is a bigger deal. (Kodjak, 6/21)
