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The new health insurance exchanges are now in their second week, and almost across the board, it has been a rocky start. But just how rocky depends on what state you live in and how many navigators have been hired to help people sign up.
Getting rid of the tax, which helps raise money to fund the health law, might help break the budget battle logjam.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has furloughed more than half its staff as a result of the federal shutdown. That worries states, particularly as the flu season begins.
Once consumers are primed to enroll, the hand-off to counselors has been rocky. Many counselors are still attending training or are awaiting background checks and state-issued licenses; some just need a computer log-in.
A contract worker looks for more consistent coverage.
In Mississippi, one of 36 states dependent on the federally run health insurance marketplace, consumers continue to face long delays and other technical difficulties.
A cottage industry of nonprofits and companies offer grades and rankings of hospitals. But they often measure different things.
Health reform in Massachusetts — also known as “Romneycare” — had a messy start in late 2006, but the state figured out how to make sure nearly everyone has insurance coverage.
Fights over defunding the health law remain at the center of legislative battles eight days into a federal government shutdown and just a week before the nation hits its debt ceiling. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and CQ Roll Call’s Emily Ethridge discuss the latest.
The health law provides for subsidized coverage for basic and preventive services for kids, and some states are requiring that they be included in every policy.
Intermittent problems with MNsure’s online insurance marketplace persist, but officials are saying consumers will have an easier time this week.
Brokers and insurers can sell their traditional products, but they may also sell some plans available on the marketplaces that offer subsidies for customers.
