Biden administration officials reportedly are exploring whether they can use the regulatory process to “fix” the so-called family glitch in the Affordable Care Act to extend ACA premium tax credits to some employees’ family members who currently are not eligible. But Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase explains both why the Biden administration lacks the legal authority for such a fix as well … [Read more...] about A Biden Administration Regulatory ‘Fix’ to the ‘Family Glitch’ Would Be Illegal and Harmful
Individual Health Insurance Markets Improving in States that Fully Permit Short-Term Plans
In an important new paper with original findings, Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase demonstrates that individual health insurance markets in states can be improved by the choice and competition short-term plans provide. Short-term plans had been severely restricted by the Obama administration—limited to a one-time purchase of 90 days with no renewal. That’s hardly insurance. But new … [Read more...] about Individual Health Insurance Markets Improving in States that Fully Permit Short-Term Plans
11 things Trump has done to fix Obamacare
Brian Blase | The New York Post | President Trump will face off with former Vice President Joe Biden in the first presidential debate this week, where health care is bound to come up. While Democrats often attack Trump for a lack of a health-care plan, the truth is, his administration has significantly increased Americans’ choice of health coverage and improved access to care. In fact, Trump … [Read more...] about 11 things Trump has done to fix Obamacare
Trump Administration Needs To Take Action To Maximize HRA Rule Potential
The Trump Administration’s rule expanding health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), specifically allowing employers to reimburse employee’s individual market premiums under certain conditions, is a significant step to empower American families with greater choice and control of their health insurance. These individual coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) are already being used by hundreds of employers … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Needs To Take Action To Maximize HRA Rule Potential
Nursing Homes, Coronavirus and Medicaid
How a program for the poor pushes Americans into poor-quality facilities. By Stephen A. Moses and Brian C. Blase | June 1, 2020 7:13 pm ET With increased focus on the huge number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, long-term care expert Steve Moses and Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase write that federal payment policies are partly to blame for the low quality of care in many … [Read more...] about Nursing Homes, Coronavirus and Medicaid
The Importance Of The Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule
OVERVIEW To help the country deal with the coronavirus epidemic, Congress has provided additional funding to states through their Medicaid programs, and much more may be coming. Galen Senior Fellow Brian Blase, in a major new article published today in Health Affairs, explains the vital importance of ensuring that Medicaid funds are spent on health care for enrollees and not “kickback … [Read more...] about The Importance Of The Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule
Cover Coronavirus Treatments, Don’t Expand Medicaid
We need to be smart about how we use public resources to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Two major crises are facing the country right now: 1) the negative health impact and associated deaths from the virus, and 2) the enormous economic impact of large numbers of businesses and schools shutting down. Congress needs to wisely allocate public resources to address both and not be … [Read more...] about Cover Coronavirus Treatments, Don’t Expand Medicaid
Congress Must Cut Red Tape that Reduces the Effectiveness of Our COVID-19 Response
State and federal laws and regulations are hindering the private sector’s efforts to help fight the outbreak. Effectively responding to the coronavirus epidemic requires innovation from private companies, medical professionals, and entrepreneurs. These folks are ready to perform heroic acts, but government rules and red tape are getting in their way. To take one tragic example, it appears … [Read more...] about Congress Must Cut Red Tape that Reduces the Effectiveness of Our COVID-19 Response