Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Individual Mandate Actually Still Exists, And That Technicality Is At Heart Of Latest Suit To Bring The Law Down
Politico: Texas Plaintiffs Personalize Uphill Legal Challenge To Overturn Obamacare
Two self-employed Texans, John Nantz and Neill Hurley, have leading roles in the latest legal effort to kill Obamacare. The men are the named plaintiffs in a lawsuit by 20 states that argues Congress fatally undercut the law when it repealed the individual mandate penalty in tax cut legislation. Nantz and Hurley say the mandate compels them to buy costly insurance that doesn't fit their needs — even though the financial penalty for not complying is disappearing next year. (Rayasam, 6/4)
The Hill: New York, Washington State Propose Double Digit Rate Hikes For ObamaCare Plans
ObamaCare insurers in New York and Washington state are proposing double-digit rate hikes for 2019, citing recent and upcoming changes to the law. In New York, 14 insurers are asking state regulators to approve an average rate hike of 24 percent, while 11 insurers in Washington state want to increase premiums by an average of 19.08 percent. (Hellmann, 6/4)
Nashville Tennessean: Why A Higher Uninsured Rate Means More Expensive Premiums
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund reports that the uninsured rate has been rising since 2016, and about 4 million more Americans are uninsured today than two years ago. One consequence of fewer insured Americans is that premiums will likely rise for the consumers who do continue to buy health insurance, beginning as early as next year. (Tolbert, 6/4)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Health Care Costs For A Typical Family Of Four Top $28,000 This Year
The total costs for a typical family of four insured by the most common health plan offered by employers will top $28,000 this year, according to the annual Milliman Medical Index. The estimate includes the average cost of health insurance paid by employers and employees, as well as deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. (Boulton, 6/4)
