Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study: Little Difference In Access To Care, Quality In Narrow Networks
The Fiscal Times: Obamacare’s ‘Narrow Networks’ In California Meet And Beat Expectations
Now that Obamacare has taken hold -- yesterday the administration announced that about 12 million people signed up through exchange plans this year -- researchers are starting to get a glimpse of how narrow networks actually compare to commercial plans. (Ehley, 5/20)
Politico Pro: 2016 Exchange Hike Proposals Prompt Calls For Tough Oversight
Consumer advocates are calling for vigorous scrutiny of proposed premium increases for 2016 insurance plans to be sold on the Obamacare exchanges. (Demko, 5/20)
The Denver Post: Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Proposes Increasing Staff Size
Connect for Health Colorado staffers recommend that the state health insurance exchange add 23 full-time positions next year, a 43 percent increase in the current level of 53 slots. Officials have been saying for months that the staff, with 14 vacancies, was too small to operate the exchange efficiently. (Draper, 5/20)
Health News Colorado: PR, Advertising Firms Out As Exchange Shifts From Consultants To Full-Timers
Colorado health exchange managers are gambling that big expenditures will yield big results — and ultimately long-term viability. Board members at Connect for Health Colorado last week voted for fee hikes, and managers are planning to spend about $8.8 million on technology improvements. (Kerwin McCrimmon, 5/20)
