Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Small Businesses Complain About Health Law Paperwork
The Associated Press: Health Care Law Paperwork Costs Small Business Thousands
Complying with the health care law is costing small businesses thousands of dollars that they didn't have to spend before the new regulations went into effect. Brad Mete estimates his staffing company, Affinity Resources, will spend $100,000 this year on record-keeping and filing documents with the government. He's hired two extra staffers and is spending more on services from its human resources provider. (Rosenberg, 3/18)
The Washington Times: IRS Blames Obamacare For Shoddy Customer Service
The IRS is blaming Obamacare for the agency’s poor customer service, with Commissioner John Koskinen telling Congress on Wednesday that he has had to take money away from answering phone calls and instead spend it on technology and personnel to carry out President Obama’s health care law. Just 43 percent of taxpayers’ phone calls are being answered so far this year. Mr. Koskinen warned that it would get worse without an infusion of money and Americans may start to feel emboldened to cheat on their taxes. (Dinan, 3/18)
The Hill: 2M Children Would Lose Coverage Without CHIP Funding
Almost 2 million children would lose health insurance if Congress does not extend the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and if the Supreme Court rules against ObamaCare subsidies, according to a new report. (Sullivan, 3/18)
Fox News: Growing Numbers Seek Faith-Based Alternative To Obamacare
Faced with the rising cost of insuring their family of five, Lisa and Jonathan Adams canceled their high-deductible health insurance policy and put their faith in Medi-Share, a Christian organization whose members help pay one another's major medical expenses. (Serrie, 3/18)
Meanwhile, the controversies surrounding Medicare and the ACA are compared -
California Healthline: Medicare, ACA Have Faced Similar Criticism. But Is That Where The Comparison Ends?
As Medicare turns 50, many observers are looking back at the program's beginning and drawing comparisons with more recent health reform efforts, namely the Affordable Care Act. (Stuckey, 3/18)
