Next President Will Have New Tool To Change Health Law Without Congress
Whoever succeeds Barack Obama will be able to use the health law's innovation waivers, slated to take effect in 2017, to grant states greater flexibility to design their own health care systems without the need for congressional approval. Meanwhile, Politico tracks the multiple lawsuits challenging aspects of the Affordable Care Act.
The Associated Press:
Waivers May Give Next President Way Out Of Health Care Feuds
Republican or Democrat, the next president will have the chance to remake the nation's health care overhaul without fighting Congress. The law signed by President Barack Obama includes a waiver that, starting in 2017, would let states take federal dollars now invested in the overhaul and use them to redesign their own health care systems. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 4/20)
Politico Pro:
Lawsuits Keep Coming In Obamacare’s ‘Perfect Storm’
As the Supreme Court weighs whether Obamacare allows premium subsidies to go to residents of all states, more than a dozen other challenges to the law are working their way through the courts, potentially all the way to the steps of the high court. (Haberkorn, 4/19)
And The Philadelphia Inquirer looks at why Obamacare plans don't include dental coverage, while The Seattle Times assesses how the law has functioned in Washington state -
The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Why ACA Plans Don't Include Dental Coverage
In some ways, health insurance is like car insurance. Both are designed to protect you from the financial risk of repair associated with body damage. But unlike a car insurance policy that comes with bumper-to-bumper protection, nongroup health insurance doesn't cover your grille. Dental insurance has always been a separate purchase from medical health insurance. (Calandra, 4/19)
The Seattle Times:
How The Affordable Care Act Is Measuring Up
With the second round of Obamacare insurance sign-ups now closed, state officials expect to beat their numbers from last year only slightly when the final count is in, with more than 165,000 people enrolled through the Washington Healthplanfinder exchange. But while the government-run health-insurance exchanges have attracted significant attention, the goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are much broader. It seeks to put health insurance within reach of most every American, bring down medical costs and provide better care to more satisfied patients. (Stiffler, 4/18)