Rural Hospitals In Non-Medicaid Expansion States Face Challenges
Some states with large rural populations opted out of expanding Medicaid even though large numbers of rural residents are uninsured, California Healthline reports. Meanwhile, a second wave of people with unverified immigration status will lose coverage this month, and Fox News reports on the increasing popularity of cheap, one-year insurance policies that are being sold as an alternative to those purchased on government exchanges.
California Healthline:
Rural Hospitals' Success Under ACA Marred by Delays, Supreme Court Ruling
In the aftermath of the Affordable Care Act's passage, some stakeholders expressed concern that rural hospitals would struggle to meet the law's requirements and would be forced to shut down or merge with larger health systems. However, nearly four years later, the jury is still out on how rural hospitals have been affected by the law. (Drost, 10/29)
Politico Pro:
Second Wave Could Lose Obamacare Coverage Because Of Immigration Issues
A second wave of people who purchased health insurance through HealthCare.gov but have unresolved immigration verification problems will lose their coverage at the end of this month, and notices have been sent to inform those consumers of the upcoming terminations, CMS has told consumer advocate groups. (Pradhan, 10/29)
Fox News:
Death Spiral? Short-Term Health Plans Grow As Cheap Alternative To Obamacare
A fast-growing, short-term alternative to ObamaCare that allows customers to get cheap, one-year policies could put the government-subsidized plan into a death spiral. The plans ... generally cost less than half of what similar ObamaCare policies cost, and are increasing in popularity as uninsured Americans learn they are required to get health coverage. (Lott, 10/29)
