Open Enrollment Kicks Off With Mostly Smooth Start But Fanfare Of Previous Years Is Absent
President Donald Trump didn't acknowledge opening day for the health law exchanges, and his administration's announcements were muted. But despite the confusion surrounding the marketplace, consumers still turn out to shop. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama released a video to encourage people to get coverage.
The Washington Post:
ACA Enrollment Opens After GOP Fails To Kill Off Obamacare
From coast to coast, the fifth annual season for Americans to buy insurance under the Affordable Care Act opened on Wednesday with scattered reports of crowds, some technical difficulties and a public confused as never before by the political turmoil surrounding the law. The federal website HealthCare.gov said “2018 Open Enrollment is here,” as both it and state insurance marketplaces attracted the year’s first customers. They came despite a 90-percent reduction in federal advertising about the sign-up window and a decision by the Trump administration to send advance emails about enrollment to millions fewer Americans than in past years. (Goldstein, Eilperin and Itkowitz, 11/1)
Politico:
First Day Of Obamacare Enrollment Stays Drama-Free
Former President Barack Obama sought to boost his namesake health law Wednesday by appearing in a video urging people to sign up for coverage on the first day of the 2018 enrollment season. Obama’s call comes as the Trump administration has taken numerous actions to undermine the law while doing almost nothing to publicize the start of the six-week enrollment season that wraps up on Dec. 15. (Cancryn and Pradhan, 11/1)
The Washington Post:
Federal Notices About ACA Enrollment Season Get Cut In Number And Messaging
In preparation for the Affordable Care Act’s latest enrollment season, the Trump administration sent notices about the sign-up options to millions fewer Americans than in past years and deleted themes known to be most effective in motivating consumers to sign up. Emails went in advance only to people with current health-care plans through marketplaces created under the law, leaving out most of the names in a database of about 20 million consumers who once had such coverage or at some point explored the federal website HealthCare.gov. (Goldstein, 11/1)
The Hill:
Trump Health Chief Wants 'Consumer Friendly' ObamaCare Signups
President Trump's acting health chief said Wednesday that the administration wants to make the ObamaCare sign-up season "as consumer friendly as possible." Eric Hargan, the acting secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said in a speech that Trump is committed to repealing and replacing the law, but the administration still wants this enrollment period, which began Wednesday, to go smoothly. (Sullivan, 11/1)
The New York Times:
How To Be A Smart Obamacare Shopper
The Trump administration’s actions to scale back Obamacare have made it harder and more complicated to find the best health plan. But the pricing chaos has also created great deals for some consumers, who can sign up during open enrollment beginning today. Here’s our advice on how to shop — the best strategy depends on how much you earn. (Sanger-Katz and Park, 11/1)
The Wall Street Journal:
Repeal Of ACA’s Individual Mandate Could Be Part Of Tax Overhaul
Republicans may seek to repeal the Affordable Care Act requirement that most Americans must have insurance coverage or pay a fine as part of their tax overhaul package, part of a push to undo or delay parts of the health law in the aftermath of the failure of a broader repeal effort. President Donald Trump, in posts on his Twitter account Wednesday, threw his support behind the proposal. (Armour and Peterson, 11/1)
The Hill:
Trump Suggests Repealing ObamaCare Mandate In Tax Bill
President Trump on Wednesday suggested using the GOP tax bill to repeal ObamaCare’s individual mandate. “Wouldn't it be great to Repeal the very unfair and unpopular Individual Mandate in ObamaCare and use those savings for further Tax Cuts,” Trump tweeted. (Weixel, 11/1)