Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Odd Phenomenon Of Free Health Law Coverage May Boost Enrollment In Face Of Dire Predictions
The Associated Press: Hard To Believe: Some Consumers Find Free Health Insurance
Consumers are getting the word that taxpayer-subsidized health plans are widely available for next year for no monthly premium or little cost, and marketing companies say they're starting to see an impact on sign-ups. "Free Obamacare Coverage in 2018," says an online pitch from insurance broker eHealth, showing a young woman with a big smile. "See if you qualify." (Alonso-Zaldivar, 11/20)
CQ: House Democrats Protest Congressional Health Care Ad Ruling
Attempts by House Democrats to promote open enrollment in the health care marketplaces are running up against arcane rules and what they call partisan politics. Lawmakers are seeking to compensate for reduced marketing on the part of the Trump administration with their own taxpayer-funded ads. The Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year slashed advertising for HealthCare.gov by 90 percent, prompting cries of “sabotage” from Democrats and consumer advocates. House Democrats are trying to fill that gap through their own ads on social media and other outlets, but are being thwarted by Republicans on the Franking Commission who say the advertisements do not comply with congressional rules. (Clason, 11/17)
The Hill: Report: Nearly 30 Million Uninsured In First Half Of 2017
About 9 percent of the U.S. population were uninsured in the first six months of 2017, according to new numbers released Friday. From January to July of this year, 28.8 million people were uninsured, according to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS.) That's a small change from the 28.6 million who lacked insurance last year. (Hellmann, 11/17)
In news from the states —
Health News Florida: Obamacare Enrollment Off To Strong Start In State, Nation
Obamacare enrollment is off to a strong start in Florida and around the nation, according to national data and those who help people sign up for health insurance. Compared to last year, the number of people selecting plans through healthcare.gov nationally during the first two weeks of enrollment increased by 46 percent. (Ochoa, 11/17)
The Associated Press: After Trial, Menendez Pitches Health Insurance Enrollment
A day after a mistrial was declared in his federal bribery trial, New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez got back to work Friday and urged people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Menendez appeared alongside Democratic Rep. Albio Sires and Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto in West New York to rally those eligible for health coverage under former President Barack Obama's signature law. Open enrollment ends Dec. 15. (11/17)
The Tennessean: Obamacare Enrollment Bustling In Nashville As Congress Weighs Ditching Mandate
Enrollment in health insurance on healthcare.gov is bustling around Middle Tennessee, even as Congress tries to repeal the individual mandate as part of its tax reform bill. The number of people shopping for plans is keeping navigators — or those who help pick plans for free — as busy, if not more so, than the previous couple of years. (Fletcher, 11/17)
The Tennessean: After A Year Of Trying To Repeal Obamacare, Has Anything Changed?
After a year of trying to repeal Obamacare, has anything changed? In some ways, it’s remarkable we made it to open enrollment at all. This time last year, repeal seemed imminent. No one could say with any certainty that the ACA would still be functioning in time for open enrollment. Repeal seemed likely throughout the year, too. Plenty of plans were proposed, but at the end of the year, all it amounted to was noise. For the fifth year in a row, open enrollment rolls on. (Tolbert, 11/17)
Concord Monitor: State Steps In After Confusing Letter About Health Insurance Mailed To 20,000 Customers
Many thousands of new Hampshire residents looking for health insurance have received letters from Anthem that imply they have been automatically signed up for a policy and are being billed for it, leading to so much confusion that the state is trying to clarify things. “We started hearing from confused consumers about the middle of this week. We also heard from a broker who does a lot of business with folks signing up on the exchange who was also hearing from clients,” said Alex Feldvebel, deputy commissioner for the New Hampshire Insurance Department. The department issued a statement Friday about the situation trying to clear up the confusion. (Brooks, 11/17)
