Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
For Industry That Thrives On Predictability, Health Law Uncertainty Provokes Frustration
Anthem is the latest major insurer to voice its displeasure with the uncertainty and political gamesmanship roiling the Affordable Care Act markets, and is now sending signals that it may pull out of the system next year. (Pianin, 3/31)
In other news on the health law —
Obamacare repeal may be dead, but health industry interests aren’t giving an inch in their assault on the law’s many taxes. High profile targets like the excise tax on medical devices, the "Cadillac tax" on expensive health plans and the tax on insurance premiums — as well as a number of other measures that business found onerous — would have all been terminated or delayed for years under the repeal bill that collapsed in the House. (Demko, 3/31)
When Republicans pulled their Affordable Care Act replacement bill, Lauren Lake’s primary reaction was relief. But like a lot of people who depend on state exchanges for coverage, the 51-year-old consultant also was wary. That’s because she knows the Trump administration could still undo an important part of the law she depends on to afford health care. (Ibarra, 3/31)