Older, Sicker Consumers Will Bear Brunt Of Healthier People’s Decision To Go With New ‘Skinny Plans’
If younger and healthier consumers trend toward buying the new limited health plans, insurers will have to figure out a way to pay for the sicker people who are left. The Wall Street Journal explains the dynamics of the possible shift. Meanwhile, Anthem's earnings jump after scaling back health law coverage.
The Wall Street Journal:
Health Care’s New ‘Skinny Plans’: Winners And Losers
New, more-limited health plans may draw consumers away from Affordable Care Act coverage and drive up prices on insurance sold in the health law’s marketplaces. These “skinny” plans offer lower premiums, making them an attractive alternative for young, healthy buyers. But the plans can be loaded with restrictions. Often, people who aren’t healthy are blocked from buying them. Many don’t cover prescription drugs or pre-existing conditions, and some cap coverage, doing away with ACA requirements and potentially leaving buyers with big bills if they get sick. (Macnaughton and Wilde Mathews, 4/25)
The Associated Press:
Insurer Anthem's Earnings Jump 30 Pct As Medical Costs Fall
Anthem's first-quarter earnings shot up 30 percent, and the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer hiked its 2018 forecast, as a drop in medical expenses bolstered its performance. The nation's second-largest health insurer joined rival UnitedHealth Group Inc. in topping analyst expectations for the quarter and hiking its 2018 forecast. Anthem said Wednesday that it now expects 2018 adjusted earnings to be greater than $15.30 per share after saying in January that they would exceed $15 per share. (4/25)
And in other national health care news —
The Associated Press:
Judge Prevents Trump From Cutting Planned Parenthood Grants
A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction blocking the Trump administration from cutting grants to Planned Parenthood that pay for a teen pregnancy prevention program in numerous states. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Rice of Spokane issued his ruling late Tuesday, after listening to arguments from attorneys for Planned Parenthood and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (4/25)
Stat:
Koch-Backed Group Launches National Ad Push To Advance 'Right To Try'
The Koch-backed group Americans for Prosperity is pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into a renewed push for federal “right-to-try” legislation that aims to give terminally ill patients a new way to access experimental therapies. The six-figure ad campaign will include both targeted digital ads and a new national television ad that pulls seemingly supportive sound bites from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as well as longtime proponent Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and President Trump. The latter will air on both broadcast and cable channels. (Mershon, 4/26)
The New York Times:
‘Desperation Oncology’: When Patients Are Dying, Some Cancer Doctors Turn To Immunotherapy
Dr. Oliver Sartor has a provocative question for patients who are running out of time. Most are dying of prostate cancer. They have tried every standard treatment, to no avail. New immunotherapy drugs, which can work miracles against a few types of cancer, are not known to work for this kind. Still, Dr. Sartor, assistant dean for oncology at Tulane Medical School, asks a diplomatic version of this: Do you want to try an immunotherapy drug before you die? (Kolata, 4/26)