Slow Start, Scant Interest In Small Business Exchanges
Participation in the government insurance exchanges designed for small businesses has been minimal so far and at least in Missouri, one reason may be the scant offerings, reports The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Washington Post:
Healthcare.gov’s Insurance Marketplace For Small Businesses Gets Off To A Slow Start
A year after the Obama administration temporarily shelved an unfinished part of HealthCare.gov intended for small businesses, it has opened with reports of only modest technical flaws — but with doubts that it will soon benefit the millions of workers at little companies with inadequate health insurance or none at all. (Goldstein, 11/30)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Few Choices In St. Louis' Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace
Employees of St. Louis-area small businesses won’t have many options if their employers decide to use the new online health marketplace under the federal overhaul. Missouri was supposed to be one of a handful of states to offer a highly touted “employee choice” feature, designed to let workers pick their own health plans within a designated cost-sharing tier. But, it turns out, Missouri workers won’t be able to take advantage of that option for 2015 coverage. (Shapiro, 11/29)
Politico Pro:
Obamacare Decisions Hampered SHOP Growth
The Obama administration has managed to launch the SHOP exchange for HealthCare.gov after a yearlong delay. But it could take years for the new small business marketplace to hit its stride — partly because of the Obama administration’s own decisions about phasing in the new coverage option. (Pradhan, 11/26)
