Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Ky. Gov. Points To Exchange, Medicaid Expansion As Obamacare Model
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) is touting his state as an example of making ObamaCare work in a Republican stronghold. The state has drawn national attention for setting up its own ObamaCare marketplace and expanding Medicaid under the law. 鈥淟et me be clear: We welcome the attention, because we know we have boldly seized the opportunity to change the course of history in our state,鈥 Beshear said in Washington Thursday at a conference of America鈥檚 Health Insurance Plans, an insurer trade group. (Sullivan, 3/12)
Health insurance enrollment advocates placed a special emphasis on enrolling minority groups in plans under President Barack Obama鈥檚 health overhaul. But federal data released this week show that task has been a struggle during the last two years. Now, groups who drive the enrollment efforts are looking for answers and trying new ideas. (Shapiro, 3/13)
MNsure officials on Thursday again lowered the outlook for commercial enrollment through the state鈥檚 health insurance exchange, as board members noted the influence of both a strong regional economy and the relatively small number of Minnesotans who currently lack coverage. (Snowbeck, 3/12)
The MNsure board Thursday approved a three-year financial plan that cuts spending by more than $2.5 million over three years. MNsure officials said the cuts were made necessary by lower than expected enrollment in private health plans. MNsure receives some of its funding from a percentage of premium payments made by people who enroll in private health plans through the state's online insurance marketplace. (Zdechlik, 3/12)
On Wednesday, researchers released poll results that show dramatically low rates of uninsured students at California State University campuses, including a steep drop in the number of Latino students without insurance. (Gorn, 3/12)
Consumers like having options, but sometimes too many choices can make shopping a nightmare. That can be especially true when shopping for something as complex and personal as health insurance. In the most recent open enrollment period for the Massachusetts Health Connector, 11 health insurers offered a staggering number of plans: 126 in all, each with different premiums, out-of-pocket payments, and benefits. One insurer had more than 30 health plans available. For the next round, the Connector plans to reduce the options by about a third. (Freyer, 3/12)
The Baker administration continues to put its stamp on the state鈥檚 Health Connector Authority with the hiring of two top officials. (Dumcius, 3/12)
The state of Oregon has notched another victory in its high-stakes legal battle with Oracle Inc. over the failure of the Cover Oregon health insurance website. U.S. District Judge Anna Brown this week rejected Oracle's attempt to try the case in federal court. The decision means dueling lawsuits filed by the state and the company will proceed separately in state and federal court. (3/12)
