Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Support For Sanders’ Single-Payer Plan Fades With Control, Cost Concerns
Although half of Americans favor the idea of a government health insurance system, the popularity drops significantly when negative arguments are presented, poll finds.
With Special Tax Suspended, Medical Device Firms Reap Big Savings
The medical device industry is enjoying a two-year moratorium on a tax that was created to support the Affordable Care Act. Are firms using their savings to create more jobs, as many claim?
Supreme Court Vacancy Creates Muddle For Future Of Reproductive Rights
Scalia’s death throws cases on abortion, contraception coverage into doubt.
Ark. Governor: Feds Back Plan To Preserve Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Asa Hutchinson says HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell “accepts the framework” of his proposals but negotiations are continuing.
California Marketplace May Require Insurers To Pay Agent Commissions
Covered California’s Executive Director Peter Lee said the measure is needed to keep insurers from slicing commissions to avoid enrolling the sickest patients.
Delay Of New Health Law Forms May Confuse Some Taxpayers
Employers, insurers and government health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid are required to send taxpayers a form showing whether they provided health care but the government has pushed back the deadline for the forms.
Farm Contractors Balk At Obamacare Requirements
The federal health law is putting farmers in a tough spot. Many contractors supplying workers have to offer health coverage. Insurance is costly, and contractors worry about immigration fallout.
Narrow Marketplace Plans In Texas Pose Problems For Autistic Children
The move away from policies that allow families to seek out-of-network care is forcing many parents with autistic children to consider covering therapy costs themselves.
Burwell Says ‘Beat Goes On’ As HHS Seeks To Expand Health Law’s Influence
Despite closing the open enrollment just a week ago, the secretary of Health and Human Services says her department is thinking about next year already and hoping to make progress on Medicaid expansion.
A Voter’s Guide To The Health Law
Candidates — on both sides — are bending the facts about the Affordable Care Act.
2016 Obamacare Enrollment Tops Expectations At 12.7 Million
About 4 million people signed up for health coverage for the first time, reports the Health and Human Services Department.
Licking Wounds, Insurers Accelerate Moves To Limit Health-Law Enrollment
Major changes in broker compensation are designed to discourage enrollment of the sickest, say consumer advocates.
Head Of California Exchange Scolds UnitedHealth For Blaming Woes On Obamacare
Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, says the giant insurer’s complaints about ACA exchanges are “total spin and unanchored in reality.”
A Last-Minute Reprieve For Some Consumers On California Exchange
Faced with the possibility of a tax penalty, many people scrambled to enroll, and the exchange extended the deadline for those who officially started the process as of Jan. 31.
Governor Seeks New Concessions From CMS To Maintain Arkansas’ Medicaid Expansion
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will meet with federal officials to negotiate the future of the state’s Medicaid expansion program, which leading Republicans say could be killed if it’s not changed.
Short-Term Health Plans: The Pros And Cons
Columnist Emily Bazar answers a consumer’s question: “You could get one of these plans, pay the uninsured tax penalty and still pay less.”
Federal Officials Clarify Rules On Getting New Health Coverage After A Move
The new rules should help make sure people understand when they are eligible for a special sign-up period if they move.
Obamacare Sign-Ups Strong In N.C., Despite High Rate Hikes
Health law insurance costs went up across the board in North Carolina, yet sign-ups remain strong heading into the final days of open enrollment.
Despite Kvetching, Most Consumers Satisfied With Health Plans: Poll
The survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 71 percent of people with insurance believe their services are excellent or good.
Consumers Cut Costs By Combining Limited Coverage Health Plans, Despite Penalty Risks
People sometimes put together a variety of policies, such as short-term and critical illness plans, instead of buying more expensive comprehensive health coverage. But they likely will face federal health law penalties.
