ObamaCare

The White House is celebrating this week the sixth anniversary of enactment of the Affordable Care Act—celebrating but trying to avoid discussing its failure to achieve widely heralded goals. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell wants to “broaden the conversation” and talk instead about delivery system reform and bundled payments—issues certain to move people toward euphoric … [Read more...] about ObamaCare At Six: Usurping Congress To Try To Rescue A Broken Law

Oregon’s health insurance co-operative is yet another Obamacare failure. It squandered taxpayer-backed handouts and loans, disappointed its customers and now has shuttered its operations. But with an audacity that would make even Donald Trump blush, Health Republic of Oregon wants more taxpayer money. Its executives are suing the federal government to demand more government handouts. The … [Read more...] about A $5 Billion Obamacare Windfall for Insurers?

(pdf version) By our count at the Galen Institute, more than 70 significant changes have been made to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, at least 43 that the Obama administration has made unilaterally, 24 that Congress has passed and the president has signed, and three by the Supreme Court. Changes By Administrative Action 1.) Employee reporting: The IRS announced that, contrary to … [Read more...] about 70 Changes to ObamaCare… — So Far

One reason why the anger over Obamacare has subsided somewhat could be that more than 70 significant changes have been made to the law since it was enacted in 2010—delaying, weakening, and eliminating some of its more onerous and burdensome provisions. The law that is being implemented is not the one Congress passed. By our updated count at the Galen Institute, at least 43 of the changes to the … [Read more...] about 70 Changes That Make Obamacare A Very Different Law Than Congress Passed

Many insurance companies are losing money selling Obamacare policies. Unfortunately, the White House wants to make their losses your problem. In December, Congress refused an administration request to provide insurers with $2.5 billion in bailout money to help cover their 2014 losses. The Obama administration hasn't given up. It has declared that this $2.5 billion in corporate welfare and … [Read more...] about Taxpayers stuck with huge tab for big insurers’ Obamacare losses

Some of my colleagues are blasting the Republican leadership for delaying three of ObamaCare’s taxes as part of the $1.14 trillion end-of-the-year tax extender and spending package scheduled for a House vote on Friday. The legislation provides a two-year delay in the “Cadillac” tax on high-cost health insurance policies that labor unions were pleading to repeal; a two-year delay in the medical … [Read more...] about Some ObamaCare Relief for Consumers In ‘Taxibus’ Legislation

“Woefully sloppy and willfully ignorant” is how Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) described the oversight of the state-run health insurance exchanges at an Energy & Commerce oversight hearing Tuesday. Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), testified before the subcommittee on the use of federal funds provided to establish state-based … [Read more...] about Top CMS Official Questioned on Lack of Oversight of State ObamaCare Exchanges

Yesterday’s post discussed what we know about Obamacare as its third open enrollment season commences.  Here are four major questions about the future of Obamacare that remain unanswered. What We Don’t Know Can insurers make money in the exchanges without corporate welfare? Obamacare contains some very expensive sweeteners to entice insurance companies to sell through the exchanges. These … [Read more...] about What We Don’t Know About Obamacare, Part II