Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Gallup Poll: More Than Half In U.S. Think Health Insurance Is A Gov't Responsibility
They may have no love for Obamacare, but a new poll shows that more than half of Americans now think that it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that all Americans have health insurance overage. A new Gallup poll finds that more than half of Americans agreed with that sentiment, up six percentage points from 2014 and the first time since 2008 that a majority of Americans feel that way. (Braverman, 11/23)
Come January, midsized businesses must begin offering health insurance to workers under Obamacare — or pay a penalty. Medicaid expansion would give some companies an out, letting low-wage employees receive coverage through the government without costing their boss a dime. (Cook, 11/23)
You’re probably sick of hearing that you can save money by shopping around on the Obamacare marketplace. But a new study illustrates exactly how costly it can be if you choose the same plan from last year without comparing other options. An enrollee in the lowest-cost silver plan last year could save an average of $322 a year on premiums, or almost $27 a month, by switching into another plan for 2016, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Dent, 11/23)