Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obamacare Lite? Ryan's Replace Plan Looks Like Skimpier Version Of ACA
NPR: Trump Health Overhaul Could Follow Paul Ryan's Playbook
Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are vowing to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the signature health care overhaul of President Obama. Trump has offered a few ideas of where he'd like to see a health care overhaul go, such as a greater reliance on health savings accounts, but he hasn't provided a detailed proposal. The absence of specifics on health care from the president-elect makes the 37-page plan that Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has released the fullest outline of what Republicans would like to replace Obamacare. Some health policy analysts say it looks a bit like Obamacare light. (Kodjak, 11/21)
The Associated Press: For Trump And GOP, 'Obamacare' Repeal Is Complex And Risky
Here's the idea: Swiftly pass a repeal of President Barack Obama's health care law, perhaps soon enough for Donald Trump to sign it the day he takes the presidential oath. Then approve legislation restructuring the nation's huge and convoluted health care system — despite Republican divisions, Democratic opposition and millions of jittery constituents. What could go wrong? (Fram, 11/22)
Kaiser Health News: Uncertain Fate Of Health Law Giving Health Industry Heartburn
Six years into building its business around the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s $3 trillion health care industry may be losing that political playbook. Industry leaders, like many voters, were stunned by the election of Donald Trump and unprepared for Republicans’ plans to “repeal and replace” Obamacare. In addition, Trump’s vague and sometimes conflicting statements on health policy have left industry officials guessing as to the details of any substitute for the federal health law. (Rovner and Terhune, 11/21)
And the current administration is still making a push to get people signed up for 2017 —
Bloomberg: Obamacare Champions Make Last-Ditch Appeal To The Under-35 Crowd
Two months before President-elect Donald Trump begins his attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration and its allies are making an aggressive final push to sign-up some of the program’s most reluctant customers -- young people. Healthy and new to the workforce, the “young invincibles” -- people aged 25 to 34 -- represent the highest uninsured rate of Americans, according to a survey released in November by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While coverage of people in that range has grown under Obamacare, the group has for the last five years had the highest rates of uninsurance compared to other age bands. (Doherty, 11/22)
Pioneer Press: 28,000 Minnesotans Sign Up For Insurance In 3 First Weeks
More than 28,000 residents have signed up for health coverage through Minnesota’s health insurance exchange. MNsure got off to a rocky start this year with a widespread state government website outage and long wait times that state officials say may have been exacerbated by automated calls. Anxiety is high due to big premium increases and concern about access to insurance for 2017. (Odden, 11/21)
