Health News
Senator Max Baucus, who as Senate Finance Committee chair helped write the health-care reform law, has become the highest-ranking Democrat to publicly voice concerns about its implementation, saying he thinks it?s headed for a collision with itself.
?I just see a huge train wreck coming down,? the Montanan told Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius during a budget hearing.
Matt Gouras of The Associated Press notes that polls show that Americans are confused by the complex law, which is designed to cover about 30 million uninsured people through a mix of government programs and tax credits. Baucus told Sibelius he?s ?very concerned? that new health insurance exchanges will not open on time in every state and residents will not have enough information to make choices even if they do open on time, as Kentucky's seems likely to do.
"The administration?s public-information campaign on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act deserves a failing grade,? Baucus lectured. ?You need to fix this.? Baucus? office later told Gouras that the senator still thinks the Affordable Care Act is a good law, but questions its roll-out.
Sebelius said that the administration is on track to fully implement exchanges in January, and to be open for open enrollment on Oct. 1, 2013, reports Gouras. Kentucky is among the states that have chosen to build a fully state-based exchange. Others have chosen a state-federal partnership exchange, or defaulted into a federally facilitated exchange. The map below shows the lay of the land about that decision. Yellow states have defaulted to a federal exchange, light blue states are planning for a partnership and blue states have chosen a state-based exchange.
- Anthem Says Kynect Has Delivered Inaccurate Enrollment Forms, But Is Nevertheless A Model For Insurance Exchanges
Some health-insurance companies say Kentucky's Kynect exchange for acquiring coverage is giving them inaccurate or incomplete enrollment forms, and that is also a problem in other state-operated exchanges, Kyle Cheney and Jason Millman reported for...
- Most Who Would Benefit From Insurance Exchanges Under Health Reform Knew Nothing About Them Last Fall
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect millions of Americans, especially those in rural areas. But many are not prepared for the coming changes, according to a survey by Enroll America, a non-profit group that calls itself "a nonpartisan...
- Kentucky Receives $57.9 Million To Set Up Insurance Exchange
Kentucky received $57.9 million Wednesday to help set up a health insurance exchange or marketplace ? though lawmakers have made no move to make that happen. Kentucky is one of 10 states to receive this latest round of federal insurance exchange establishment...
- Kentucky And Most Other States Continue To Delay Action On Health-insurance Exchanges, Despite Jan. 1, 2013 Deadline
Though states must be able to prove whether or not they're ready to run a state insurance exchange by Jan. 1, 2013, many, including Kentucky, have not made any moves toward setting one up. Kentucky officials have said they are waiting for more guidance...
- The Hhs Secretary Visits Chicago
This week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited Chicago to speak about the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. Secretary Sebelius, accompanied by Governor Pat Quinn, announced...
Health News
Baucus sees a health-reform 'train wreck,' fearing insurance exchanges won't be ready
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| Max Baucus (J. Scott Applewhite, AP) |
?I just see a huge train wreck coming down,? the Montanan told Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius during a budget hearing.
Matt Gouras of The Associated Press notes that polls show that Americans are confused by the complex law, which is designed to cover about 30 million uninsured people through a mix of government programs and tax credits. Baucus told Sibelius he?s ?very concerned? that new health insurance exchanges will not open on time in every state and residents will not have enough information to make choices even if they do open on time, as Kentucky's seems likely to do.
"The administration?s public-information campaign on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act deserves a failing grade,? Baucus lectured. ?You need to fix this.? Baucus? office later told Gouras that the senator still thinks the Affordable Care Act is a good law, but questions its roll-out.
Sebelius said that the administration is on track to fully implement exchanges in January, and to be open for open enrollment on Oct. 1, 2013, reports Gouras. Kentucky is among the states that have chosen to build a fully state-based exchange. Others have chosen a state-federal partnership exchange, or defaulted into a federally facilitated exchange. The map below shows the lay of the land about that decision. Yellow states have defaulted to a federal exchange, light blue states are planning for a partnership and blue states have chosen a state-based exchange.
 |
| Map provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation |
- Anthem Says Kynect Has Delivered Inaccurate Enrollment Forms, But Is Nevertheless A Model For Insurance Exchanges
Some health-insurance companies say Kentucky's Kynect exchange for acquiring coverage is giving them inaccurate or incomplete enrollment forms, and that is also a problem in other state-operated exchanges, Kyle Cheney and Jason Millman reported for...
- Most Who Would Benefit From Insurance Exchanges Under Health Reform Knew Nothing About Them Last Fall
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect millions of Americans, especially those in rural areas. But many are not prepared for the coming changes, according to a survey by Enroll America, a non-profit group that calls itself "a nonpartisan...
- Kentucky Receives $57.9 Million To Set Up Insurance Exchange
Kentucky received $57.9 million Wednesday to help set up a health insurance exchange or marketplace ? though lawmakers have made no move to make that happen. Kentucky is one of 10 states to receive this latest round of federal insurance exchange establishment...
- Kentucky And Most Other States Continue To Delay Action On Health-insurance Exchanges, Despite Jan. 1, 2013 Deadline
Though states must be able to prove whether or not they're ready to run a state insurance exchange by Jan. 1, 2013, many, including Kentucky, have not made any moves toward setting one up. Kentucky officials have said they are waiting for more guidance...
- The Hhs Secretary Visits Chicago
This week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited Chicago to speak about the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. Secretary Sebelius, accompanied by Governor Pat Quinn, announced...