Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
With Premiums Up For Some, Obamacare Affordability Concerns Could Hurt Enrollment
The third year of open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act began this week. Premiums are up and some people have decided they are not so affordable. Lisa Patton turns 26 years old this month. That means, she will lose coverage under her parents health insurance. But she doesn't want to pay up to $250 a month for a plan under Obamacare. (Goldman, 11/2)
In 2013, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) articulated what was a general belief among Democrats: the Affordable Care Act would help the party. Granted, the timeframe Reid predicted was that it would help last November. ... But the idea that being the party that helped Americans get access to affordable health care would be a boon was not unique to Reid. For a long time, Obamacare was viewed fairly negatively, according to regular polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation. In recent surveys, though, attitudes are about evenly split. So maybe the legislation is poised to be a boon for Democrats in 2016! Or, maybe not. (Bump, 11/2)
The latest open enrollment period to sign up for insurance from the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) kicked off on Sunday, one that federal officials are anticipating to be their toughest season to date. (Dent, 11/2)
Longtime opponents of the ObamaCare “Cadillac tax” met with lawmakers this week with a new message: We’re willing to compromise. In a fly-in visit with key members and committee staff, employer benefits lobbyists went in seeking a more politically viable solution than full repeal. (Ferris, 11/2)
