Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
State Insurance Exchanges Cut Costs, Boost Fees To Be Self-Supporting
After using most of $1 billion in federal start-up money, California's Obamacare exchange is preparing to go on a diet. That financial reality is reflected in Covered California's proposed budget, to be released Wednesday, as well as a reduced forecast calling for 2016 enrollment of fewer than 1.5 million people. (Terhune, 5/13)
Though the state’s health exchange soon will consider boosting insurance assessments, Access Health CT officials said Tuesday Connecticut’s program is on sound financial footing — unlike many other state exchanges. The finance subcommittee of Access Health’s Board of Directors unanimously recommended that the full board consider two options to increase modestly its assessments on all individual and small-group insurance plans sold in the state. (Phaneuf and Levin Becker, 5/12)
Moderate-income Iowans who want to use Affordable Care Act subsidies to purchase health insurance still won't be able to choose policies from Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield next year. But they should be offered policies from at least two competitors. UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health-insurer, confirmed Monday evening that it plans to start selling policies to Iowans this fall on the online public marketplace, known as HealthCare.gov. Coventry Health Care, which this year is most Iowans' sole choice on the system, said it will continue marketing plans on the public marketplace. The online system, also known as an exchange, is the only place where Americans can buy policies that qualify for the Obamacare subsidies. (Leys, 5/11)
And appellate judges appeared skeptical to another challenge to the health law -
Federal appellate court justices on Tuesday appeared skeptical about a challenge to an Obama administration regulatory fix that allowed some people to keep their health insurance plans following public uproar over the wave of cancellations nearly two years ago. The case, heard before a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, partly focuses on a rule allowing health plans not meeting Affordable Care Act requirements to temporarily be renewed beyond 2013. The administration’s policy, crafted amid negative press attention and a faltering enrollment website in fall 2013, let state regulators decide whether to allow these plans to continue. (Mershon, 5/12)
