Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Emergency Room Use Stayed High In Oregon Medicaid Study
A new study on Oregon’s famed Medicaid experiment eight years ago shows no decline in emergency room care even after two years of coverage.
Are Blues’ Plans Benefiting Unfairly From Program To Offset Cost Of Sicker Patients?
Other insurers complain that Blue Cross Blue Shield plans have bloated overhead costs and reap too much from the Obamacare risk-adjustment fund, paid for by insurers. The companies deny it.
Frustration Runs Deep For Customers Forced To Change Marketplace Plans Routinely
Doctor and hospital switching is a recurring scramble for these consumers who face rising premiums and plan exits.
How Narrow Is It? Gov’t Begins Test Of Comparison Tool For Health Plan Networks
This fall, the tool will be available in four states with hopes of expanding it to other states in the future.
Report: States Increase Cost Controls To Manage Medicaid Growth
Medicaid enrollment and total Medicaid spending are projected to rise more slowly for 2017, but states’ tab will grow faster as the federal government begins to taper its funding for Obamacare expansions, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports in its annual 50-state survey.
Rising Health Premiums Rankle Individuals Paying Full Price
Insurance customers who don’t get federal subsidies are facing double-digit premium increases in many places this year and forced to make hard choices about coverage.
Trump’s Debate Claim On Health Care Costs: It Depends What You Mean By ‘Cost’
Although many consumers are feeling the heat from increased health care spending, the overall bill may not be larger.
President Trump Wouldn’t Have To Wait For Congress To Undo Much Of The Health Law
Since President Barack Obama has used executive authority many times to help stabilize the law, Donald Trump could likely reverse those decisions and undermine the law.
A Bygone Era: When Bipartisanship Led To Health Care Transformation
A federal law enacted shortly after the end of World War II provided grants and loans to fund hospital construction that have left a lasting legacy.
Health Law Targets Women’s Preventive Services, But It Offers Help To Men, Too
A number of preventive services used by both men and women are now available at no cost to consumers.
Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Want Restraints On Drug Prices
As the spiraling costs attract headlines, many people are looking to the government to rein in prescription drug prices, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
Would You Like Some Insurance With Your Insurance?
Gap insurance plans, used to cover out-of-pocket health expenses like high deductibles, are becoming increasingly popular among consumers and businesses.
Health Law Expanded Coverage For Ex-Inmates, But Gaps Remain
The health law’s Medicaid expansion and its requirement that employer medical plans cover dependents up to age 26 had a significant impact on coverage for this population. The portion of young adult ex-inmates without insurance fell from 40 percent to 32 percent.
Number Of Uninsured Falls Again In 2015
The annual Census report finds that the number of uninsured falls to 29 million from 33 million.
Lack Of Medicaid Expansion Hurts Rural Hospitals More Than Urban Facilities
Researchers writing in Health Affairs report that decisions by 19 states to not expand the program for low-income residents could be hurting the financial stability of rural hospitals.
Burwell Says HHS Trying To Bring More Insurers Into Marketplaces
The administration is working to maintain competition on the health law exchanges to help keep premium prices lower.
Taxpayers Foot 70 Percent Of California’s Health Care Tab, Study Finds
The public spending on health care outpaces the nation.
Who’s Affected By Insurers’ Pullbacks And What It Could Mean For The ACA’s Future
Health insurance giant Aetna will stop selling insurance through most state exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. It’s the third major insurer to pull back from Obamacare. Who’s affected and what this means for the future of the ACA.
Survey: Millions More Californians Insured After Obamacare Launch, Medicaid Expansion
But the remaining uninsured are tough to reach.
Obamacare Marketplace Shakeout Rocks Arizona, Southeast
Fewer choices in 2017 health care plans await consumers in dozens of markets where Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Humana are pulling out, but withdrawals may hit Arizona, the Carolinas, Georgia and parts of Florida hardest.
