Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rural Americans Make Greater Insurance Gains Under Health Law Than Urban Residents: HHS
Kansas Health News: HHS: Rural Americans Benefit ‘Dramatically’ From Health Reform Law
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says rural Americans are gaining health insurance through the Affordable Care Act at rates outpacing their urban counterparts. Mark Andes is among those in rural Kansas who have benefited. Andes was living and working in McPherson last year when he began having some pretty scary health symptoms. (Thompson, 7/8)
New Hampshire Union Leader: Medical Device Tax Affects Small Businesses
In 2013, one Affordable Care Act component taking effect — a medical device excise tax — imposed a new financial burden on American Laboratory Products Co. The 2.3 percent tax on revenue took a bite out of the company’s bottom line, “no question about it,” said Sean Conley, president of the family-owned-and-operated Alpco. “This obviously has an impact on where our funds go and makes it a bit more challenging to continue to create new jobs.” (Okun, 7/10)
Meanwhile, some troubled cooperatives may face higher-than-expected risk-adjustment fees —
Politico Pro: Some Co-Op Plans Owe Much More In Risk Adjustment Than Anticipated
The 10 co-op plans that were still in business as of last week owe nearly $150 million in risk adjustment payments, according to data released by CMS. That’s a big chunk of change for the struggling nonprofit startups, but it might not be that big of a problem — if they had expected to take such a hit and budgeted for it. But six of the 10 plans underestimated how much they would owe for 2015, according to an analysis of financial filings by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Katherine Hempstead. Altogether, the 10 plans missed the mark by roughly $60 million. (Demko, 7/8)
And from California and Michigan —
Politico Pro: Obamacare For Immigrants Divides California's GOP
California’s proposal to let undocumented immigrants purchase unsubsidized Obamacare plans is creating a divide among Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation. Five GOP lawmakers from the state — including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy — declined to sign a letter from their colleagues demanding the Obama administration shoot down the request, the first in the country. The split reflects the geographic realities of the areas they represent, GOP strategists say. Latinos make up a substantial chunk of voters in some GOP-held districts. (Pradhan, 7/8)
The Detroit Free Press: Michigan Insurers Seek Big Hikes For Obamacare Plans
Health insurers in Michigan are seeking another round of double-digit rate increases next year for plans they sell to individuals, although smaller increases for their small group plans. Insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has asked state regulators for permission to boost its premium rates by an average 18.7% for individual plans, along with a 14.8% increase for its Blue Care Network individual plans. (Reindl, 7/9)
