Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vast Majority Of People Won't Feel Pinch From Premium Spikes. But For Those Who Do It Will Be Painful.
Bloomberg: Obamacare's Rising Premiums Will Hurt The Middle Class The Most
For some lower-income people in Obamacare, the rising premiums President Donald Trump has talked so much about will barely be felt at all. Others, particularly those with higher incomes, will feel the sharp increases when insurance sign-ups begin Wednesday. Richard Taylor is one of the people on the wrong end. The 61-year-old, self-employed Oklahoman has meticulously tracked his medical costs since 1994. In 2013, he signed up for an Affordable Care Act plan for the law’s first year offering coverage to millions of Americans. (Rausch and Tracer, 11/1)
Denver Post: Despite Premium Spikes, Many In Colorado Could Pay Less For Health Insurance In 2018
As open enrollment kicks off on Colorado’s health insurance exchange Wednesday, people who buy coverage on their own could be in for a surprise: dramatically lower prices for some and higher prices for others. While underlying premiums will climb more than 30 percent, in part because of a Trump administration decision to end key payments to insurers, what many people will actually end up paying is expected to drop. That’s because the amount available in federal tax credits to help pay premiums is also rising. (Ingold, 10/31)
Kaiser Health News: Rising Health Insurance Costs Frighten Some Early Retirees
Don and Debra Clark of Springfield, Mo., are glad they have health insurance. Don is 56 and Debra is 58. The Clarks say they know the risk of an unexpected illness or medical event is rising as they age and they must have coverage. Don is retired and Debra works part time a couple of days a week. As a result, along with about 20 million other Americans, they buy health insurance in the individual market — the one significantly altered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). (Findlay, 11/1)
