Obamacare’s third open enrollment season kicked off yesterday, beginning the next chapter in its turbulent history. Today’s post discusses what we know about Obamacare. Tomorrow’s will discuss what we don’t yet know. What We Know Fewer people are uninsured. How many fewer is a matter of dispute, but the improvement is substantial by any measure. HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell credits … [Read more...] about What We Know About Obamacare, Part I
ObamaCare
New Legal Challenge to ObamaCare
The Pacific Legal Foundation filed an appeal Monday asking the Supreme Court to hear a new challenge to the Affordable Care Act which argues that the ACA’s taxes are unconstitutional because they originated in a bill written by the Senate. Under the Constitution’s Origination Clause, all bills that levy and raise taxes must begin in the House of Representatives. Contrary to this provision, the … [Read more...] about New Legal Challenge to ObamaCare
400,000 Citizens To Lose Health Insurance (Again) Because Of Obamacare Co-Op Failures
The two largest state health insurance co-operatives created as part of a grand ObamaCare experiment have announced they are closing at the end of this year, joining others that have failed and even more that are insolvent and likely to fail. The Kentucky Health Cooperative announced on Friday it is going out of business and will not enroll new members next year, leaving 51,000 members to find … [Read more...] about 400,000 Citizens To Lose Health Insurance (Again) Because Of Obamacare Co-Op Failures
Congress Holds Oversight Hearing on Failing State Exchanges
Lackluster enrollment numbers, technology issues, and high maintenance costs are among the challenges plaguing ObamaCare state exchanges that were reviewed by the House Energy and Commerce Oversight Subcommittee at a hearing Tuesday. “CMS has seemed more focused on doling out taxpayer dollars rather than overseeing how those dollars are spent,” Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) said of the lack of … [Read more...] about Congress Holds Oversight Hearing on Failing State Exchanges
70 Changes to ObamaCare…So Far
70 changes so far to ObamaCare(PDF) 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 … [Read more...] about 70 Changes to ObamaCare…So Far
Letter to Congress Re: Co-Ops
Joel C. White, president of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, and Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute, have written to members of Congress seeking oversight of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (co-op) program. All but one of the 22 co-ops created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have produced negative net income, despite $2.4 billion in … [Read more...] about Letter to Congress Re: Co-Ops
Highmark Health Shifts to Narrow Network Plans Due to ObamaCare Costs
According to a Sept. 3 report by Anna Wilde Mathews of the Wall Street Journal, Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health announced it will cut back its range of plans offered through the ObamaCare marketplaces. The nonprofit company currently covers around 380,000 marketplace enrollees in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. During the first six months of 2015, Highmark recorded a loss of $318 … [Read more...] about Highmark Health Shifts to Narrow Network Plans Due to ObamaCare Costs
Families brace for steep hikes: Opposing view
USA TODAY invited us to respond to the lead editorial in today’s paper, “Don't believe Obamacare stories: Our view.” The editors argue that premium increases will “likely be modest” next year, despite “scattered double-digit rate hikes.” We disagree and explain that millions of Americans will be facing higher premiums, sometimes much higher premiums, for insurance many don't like. Here is our … [Read more...] about Families brace for steep hikes: Opposing view