Latest Morning Briefing Stories
How Navigators Plan To Insure the Remaining Uninsured
With the Affordable Care Act’s third open enrollment period less than one month away, the latest batch of navigators are ramping up to help consumers sign up for health insurance. Website glitches and poor coordination previously hampered enrollment efforts, but the biggest challenge this time is much more fundamental: helping consumers understand the law.
Support for Federal Health Spending Is Down. Could the ACA Be the Reason Why?
The Affordable Care Act is the largest overhaul of the country’s health care system in history. Since the law’s enactment, support for federal spending on health care is down among Republicans, independents … and even Democrats.
ACA Could Be a Boon for American Indians, but Enrollment Challenges Remain
Helping American Indians and Alaska Natives enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage can be difficult, even though doing so would improve health disparities and bring in more funding for tribal health care providers.
The Next Big Battle Over Obamacare: Another Tax
As employers begin to consider future benefits packages, their attention is turned to the Affordable Care Act’s 40% tax on high-cost health plans. Advocates say the tax will help reduce health care costs by discouraging wasteful spending, while critics say the tax will unfairly raise out-of-pocket expenses for workers.
Accountable Care Organizations, Explained
This model of care is one of the ways created by the Affordable Care Act to reduce health care costs while improving quality of care. You can also watch the accompanying video that explains ACOs.
What the Anthem-Cigna Mega-Merger Could Mean for California
Anthem plans to buy Cigna, and their merger would create a new top player in California’s insurance market. But how much will it actually shake up California?
Apples and Oranges: How Should We Look at Republican, Democratic Health Care Plans?
Republican and Democratic 2016 presidential candidates differ so widely in agenda and ideology that it can be difficult to compare how their health reform plans stack up. But experts say there are some best practices to follow when analyzing the proposals.
ACA Improved Rx Drug Access, But Some Still Face Barriers to Finding Best Coverage
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans to include coverage for prescription drugs, but differing medication formularies, incomplete coverage information and other obstacles could be keeping consumers from actually using those benefits.
State Wants Public Health Innovations
Health officials issued an “innovation challenge” to drum up new ideas and fresh community health approaches.
The Affordable Care Act’s Two Futures
Many observers believe the Affordable Care Act is on steadier footing, now that it’s survived two Supreme Court challenges. So what does the future hold for the law? How will it change? And what will it take for the law to be repealed?