Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CBO Reduces Health Law Enrollment Estimates
The Congressional Budget Office on Monday sharply reduced its estimate of how many people would get health insurance this year through the Affordable Care Act鈥檚 public marketplaces, to 13 million, from a prior estimate of 21 million. ... The budget office now estimates that 11 million people a month, on average, will receive subsidies this year, down from its prior estimate of 15 million. The lower estimates are not necessarily bad news for President Obama鈥檚 signature domestic accomplishment. (Pear, 1/25)
Fewer people than expected are purchasing health insurance under President Barack Obama's health care law, a report confirmed on Monday. ... The new estimates reflect a growing consensus that it's going to take longer for the online insurance markets to achieve their full potential. The latest numbers also recognize that many unsubsidized customers still prefer to buy their coverage directly from insurers, instead of going into the government market. (Taylor and Alonso-Zaldivar, 1/25)
Reflecting slower than anticipated enrollment growth in health insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has lowered its estimate of how many people will get coverage through the law in 2016. The lower enrollment number brings the budget office closer in line with the Obama administration, which scaled back its own enrollment targets for 2016, citing the difficulty of reaching new consumers who have not so far taken advantage of the marketplaces. (Levey, 1/25)
News outlets also report on the looming deadline for the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment season as well as how the law impacts tax filing and government spending -
Once Sunday鈥檚 open enrollment deadline has passed, shoppers will no longer be able to purchase coverage for the rest of the year through the federal and state-run health insurance exchanges or directly from health insurance companies or brokers unless there are mitigating circumstances that qualify for a special enrollment period. (O'Hare, 1/26)
Before venturing out this week to meet with someone who can help you sign up for coverage through healthcare.gov, a little homework is in order. (Sutherly, 1/26)
This is the second year that the Affordable Care Act and taxes will collide, and two changes this year could make the cumbersome tax filing process a bit more complicated. But let鈥檚 start with what has stayed the same. (Herron, 1/25)
