Uncertainty In Washington Keeping Insurers, State Commissioners Off Balance
In an industry that relies on predictability the debate in Washington and the ever-looming threat that the president will cut off subsidies have rocked those trying to keep it stable.
The Wall Street Journal:
Anthem Seeks Clarity From Health Law Debate
Anthem Inc. said that if it doesn’t quickly get more certainty about the future of the Affordable Care Act exchanges, it will likely further pull back its planned participation for next year, a threat that adds to the pressure on Senate Republicans as they struggle to pass health-care legislation. (Wilde Mathews, 7/26)
Modern Healthcare:
Unsure Of The Future, States Guess Their Way Through 2018 Rate Filing Season
Faced with uncertainty around the federal government's commitment to pay out funds meant to help consumers afford coverage on Affordable Care Act exchanges, state insurance commissioners are being put in the position to guess the future. If they make the wrong choice, their residents could find themselves without coverage and the ability to access care. (Dickson, 7/26)
Bloomberg:
Obamacare Chaos in Washington Leaves Health Investors Unfazed
Wall Street’s apparent indifference to the possibility that Republicans will succeed in repealing the ACA shows how the for-profit health industry has largely separated itself from the law’s fate. While Obamacare brought insurance to 20 million people, drugmakers say it hasn’t boosted their profits. Publicly traded insurers have largely quit the health law’s markets after losing money. And hospitals have bigger problems, tied to structural shifts in how people are getting care. (Bloomberg, 7/26)
NPR:
'Sky-High' Pay For CEOs Of Health Care Firms Raises Questions
In the seven years since the Affordable Care Act was passed, CEOs of U.S. health care companies have made a lot of money. Their compensation far outstrips the wage growth of nearly all Americans, according to reporter Bob Herman, who published an analysis this week of "the sky-high pay of health care CEOs" for the online news site, Axios. (Siegel and Columbus, 7/26)
