Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
ACA Rate Hikes In Michigan Could Reach Record Levels Depending On Future Of Insurer Subsidies
Some health insurers in Michigan will be seeking record-level rate hikes next year for plans they sell to individuals — potentially as much as 31% — as debate continues to swirl in Washington over overhauling the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. Wednesday was the deadline for insurance companies to submit to Michigan regulators their proposed 2018 premiums for health plans that can be bought on or off the Healthcare.gov exchange, as well as for small groups of 50 or fewer employees. (Reindl and Spangler, 6/14)
Two of the state’s largest health insurers came face to face with hostile customers and dissenting advocates at a hearing Wednesday over another year of requests for double-digit rate hikes. The stakes are even higher this year because the state Insurance Department’s final decision on the rate requests will influence whether the two remaining insurers on Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, Access Health CT, return in 2018. (Constable, 6/14)
The Cleveland Clinic will enter the individual insurance market later this year through a joint venture with New York-based Oscar Insurance Corp., a health insurance tech startup. The venture, called Cleveland Clinic | Oscar Health, will offer its new insurance during open enrollment in 2017, and will begin coverage starting Jan. 1, 2018. (Christ, 6/15)
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill —
The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill that denies premium assistance under the replacement for Obamacare until the applicant's immigration status or citizenship has been determined. Under the current law, immigrants who reside in the U.S. illegally can not buy insurance on the exchanges —or receive tax credits—but coverage can begin while the federal government verifies citizenship or residency.  (Lee, 6/14)
Four Democratic senators have introduced a bill that would make reinsurance a permanent part of the Affordable Care Act's individual exchanges. The bill, introduced Wednesday and led by Senators Tim Kaine of Virginia and Tom Carper of Delaware, would provide federal funding to cover 80% of claims from $50,000 to $500,000, starting next year, with the same level of support through 2020. (Lee, 6/14)
