First Edition: March 10, 2015
Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Kaiser Health News:
Mental Health Privacy Questions Arise In Rape Case At University Of Oregon
The privacy of students who get care at university clinics is in doubt after the mental health records of a women who says she was raped at the University of Oregon were accessed by the school in the course of defending itself against a lawsuit. The unidentified student is suing the university for mishandling her assault. She says she was raped by three basketball players last year. The University of Oregon found the players responsible, kicked them off the team and out of school. (Foden-Vencil, 3/9)
The New York Times:
Budget Office Again Reduces Its Estimate On Cost Of The Affordable Care Act
The Congressional Budget Office on Monday again lowered its estimate of the cost of the Affordable Care Act, citing slow growth of health insurance premiums as a major factor. Just since January, the budget office said, it has reduced its estimate of the 10-year cost of federal insurance subsidies by 20 percent, and its estimate of new Medicaid costs attributable to the law has come down by 8 percent. (Pear, 3/9)
The Washington Post:
Health-Care Law Will Cost Taxpayers Less Than Expected, CBO Says
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office attributed the savings to spending on medical care in coming years that will not be as great as previously forecast. As a result, the agency said, insurers are not expected to charge Americans as much for coverage, and the government will save on subsidies for low- and moderate-income people. What’s more, the CBO has concluded that companies are not canceling health insurance policies as often as had been anticipated earlier this year. Fewer Americans consequently are planning to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, generating more taxpayer savings. (Ehrenfreund and Somashekhar, 3/9)
The Wall Street Journal:
Health Law To Cost Less Than Forecast Earlier
Nearly five years after President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, federal budget scorekeepers have sharply revised down the projected costs of the bill. In the latest projection, published by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Monday, the major insurance provisions of the law will cost the government 11% less than they forecast six weeks ago, reducing the taxpayer tab by $142 billion over the coming decade. (Timiraos, 3/9)
The Associated Press:
CBO: Slowing Costs Reduce Price Of Health Care Overhaul
Slowing health care costs are driving down the price tag of President Barack Obama's health overhaul, just as the Supreme Court is weighing whether to strike a key part of the law. Estimates released Monday reduce the projected cost to taxpayers by $142 billion over the next decade. That's an 11 percent drop from previous estimates. (Ohlemacher, 3/9)
Los Angeles Times:
Q&A: Why Affordable Care Act Costs Continue To Fall
As the Supreme Court considers the fate of government subsidies to millions of consumers receiving coverage under the Affordable Care Act, a nonpartisan budget analysis found Monday that projected costs of President Obama's signature healthcare program continued to fall. Just in time for Washington's annual fight over government spending, the Congressional Budget Office issued its revised outlook for the projected costs of implementing the act. As it has previously, the budget office found that the program is proving to be less expensive than previously expected. Here's a look at some of its latest findings. (Mascaro, 3/9)
The Wall Street Journal:
Affordable Care Act Enrollment Near 11.7 Million
Nearly 11.7 million people signed up for health coverage in state and federal marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration said Monday. The latest numbers on the second year of open enrollment are a tangible sign the health law is effective, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said Monday during a White House event to thank stakeholders who helped during the sign-up period. (Armour, 3/9)
USA Today:
State, Federal Health Exchange Enrollment Nears 11.7M
Nearly 11.7 million people were enrolled in an Obamacare plan through Feb. 22, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said Monday. That number will continue to increase because of extended enrollment periods through April for those who learn of the penalties for not having health care while they are doing their taxes. But as of now, Burwell said more than half of those who signed up were new customers. (O'Donnell, 3/9)
Los Angeles Times:
Obamacare: Agents Signed Up 43% Of New California Enrollment
California fell short of its second-year enrollment goal for Obamacare, but don't blame insurance agents. They accounted for 43% of new enrollment in Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange. That compares with 30% of people who enrolled themselves online or 10% who turned to a certified enrollment counselor or navigator. (Terhune, 3/9)
USA Today:
Mental Health Coverage Unequal In Many Obamacare Plans
Insurance coverage for mental and physical illness remains unequal despite promises that Obamacare would help level the playing field, mental health advocates and researchers say. A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that consumer information on a quarter of the Obamacare plans that researchers examined appeared to go against a federal "parity" law designed to stop discrimination in coverage for people with mental health or addiction problems. (Ungar and O'Donnell, 3/9)
Politico:
Jeb Bush Talks Alternative To Obamacare 'Monstrosity'
Jeb Bush says that Obamacare is a “monstrosity” and wants the government to focus instead on a catastrophic coverage plan to help people who experience costly medical crises. The potential Republican 2016 presidential contender said that he doesn’t see Obamacare being repealed before President Barack Obama leaves office. But once it is, he wants to see a different plan. (Haberkorn, 3/9)
The Associated Press:
Justices Order New Look At Notre Dame Birth Control Case
Notre Dame is among dozens of religious organizations that have challenged a compromise in the Affordable Care Act offered by the Obama administration to faith-based groups. The compromise attempts to create a buffer for faith-based groups that oppose birth control, while ensuring that women still can obtain contraceptives free of charge. The federal appeals court in Chicago ruled against Notre Dame, but that occurred before the Supreme Court decided the Hobby Lobby case in favor of corporations with similar objections. (3/9)
Los Angeles Times:
Supreme Court Revives Notre Dame's Challenge To Contraceptive Policy
The Supreme Court has revived the University of Notre Dame's effort to shield itself from an Obama administration policy to ensure all female employees are provided a full range of contraceptives, including those who work for religious schools and colleges. The administration says Catholic colleges need not provide or pay for the disputed contraceptives themselves, but they must at least notify their insurer or the government so the coverage can be provided separately. (Savage, 3/9)
The Wall Street Journal:
Expensive Hepatitis C Medications Drive Prescription-Drug Spending
Prescription-drug spending rose more than 12% last year in the U.S., the biggest annual increase in over a decade, according to a report by the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit manager. The increase was driven in large part by soaring demand for expensive new hepatitis C treatments and price increases for diabetes and cancer drugs. (Walker, 3/10)
Politico:
Robert Menendez Case: Kathleen Sebelius Also Questioned By Feds
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius offered new details about a private meeting with Sen. Bob Menendez at the center of a criminal probe into the senator’s actions — and revealed for the first time she spoke with federal authorities about the matter. In an interview with POLITICO on Monday, Sebelius said that she disputed the New Jersey Democrat’s assertions three years ago that the federal government had uneven billing practices that unfairly hurt a company owned by Salomon Melgen, a close friend and political benefactor of the senator. (Raju, 3/10)
The Associated Press:
Menendez Case Would Test Justice Dept. Anti-Corruption Unit
A criminal prosecution of Sen. Bob Menendez would represent a major test for a Justice Department anti-corruption unit that recently scored the conviction of a former Virginia governor, but endured humbling setbacks in cases against two former U.S. senators. The New Jersey Democrat is expected to face criminal charges in the coming weeks over his ties to a Florida eye doctor who is also a longtime friend and political donor, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Menendez denied wrongdoing and said he has served honorably in his more than 20 years in Congress. (3/9)
Los Angeles Times:
Parents Take Extreme Steps To Keep Their Kids From The Unvaccinated
A Bay Area mother formed a Facebook page where parents could arrange play dates for their children with other vaccinated youngsters. Another mom advocates socially isolating the unvaccinated by asking parents if their child is inoculated before accepting a birthday invitation, or even using the swings at the playground. And an Eagle Rock mom says she now asks about vaccine records when she buys used baby clothing. The fierce debate over childhood vaccines is prompting some parents to take extreme measures to make sure their children are segregated from the unvaccinated. (Foxhall, 3/9)
NPR:
States Fund Pregnancy Centers That Discourage Abortion
Google "abortion Columbus" and halfway down the first page is a headline: "Your Right to Choose, Abortion in Columbus." It's for Pregnancy Decision Health Center, or PDHC, a chain of six sites in Ohio's capital whose aim is actually to guide women out of having the procedure. Like many of the thousands of crisis pregnancy centers across the U.S., the PDHC near Ohio State University is right next door to a Planned Parenthood. There's a cozy room for private chats and a larger open space decorated in soothing colors. (Ludden, 3/9)