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ACA

Big premium increases on the way for Obamacare plans

Big premium increases on the way for Obamacare plans

WASHINGTON — Premiums for health plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act will rise sharply next year, and insurer defections in some states will leave consumers with substantially fewer coverage options, the federal government reported. Premiums will increase, on average, 25% for mid-level plans on the federal health insurance exchange, according to the Department of

HHS projects rise in ACA health coverage

HHS projects rise in ACA health coverage

It was just a blip — maybe you missed it — but health care was indeed mentioned in last night’s presidential debate in Las Vegas. And it wasn’t Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump that brought it up. During the discussion on the economy, moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News tried to get the candidates to

Clinton, Trump diverge on health care

Clinton, Trump diverge on health care

WASHINGTON — Change is apparently looming for the Affordable Care Act, regardless of whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump wins the 2016 presidential ­election. Though it’s uncertain if health care will emerge as a topic at tonight’s third and final presidential debate in Las Vegas at the University of Nevada, the issue was the subject

Young enrollees sought for ACA

Young enrollees sought for ACA

WASHINGTON —  Seeking to boost the number of young people getting health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration is employing targeted digital communications and social ­media. The White House Healthy Campus Challenge will engage college and university campuses in enrollment efforts nationwide. “We will work with administrators, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and

Time of testing for Affordable Care Act looms

Time of testing for Affordable Care Act looms

WASHINGTON — The upcoming enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act will be pivotal, as hikes in premiums, withdrawals by insurance companies and sign-ups that fell short of targets have combined to call the law’s sustainability into question. Federal officials say the problems is surmountable and are driving to bolster the statute before President Obama

Obama says more work needed to fix health care

Obama says more work needed to fix health care

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has made suggestions for improving the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including bigger subsidies for private insurance and a Medicare-like public plan in some states. Obama also said drug makers were putting their bottom lines ahead of the common good by opposing any constraints on medication prices. “We worked successfully with

IRS ruling represents new complication for ACA

IRS ruling represents new complication for ACA

WASHINGTON — Accountable care organizations (ACOs) face a major hurdle under a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service. ACOs are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers, possibly including pharmacists, who voluntarily come together to give coordinated high-quality care. The goal is to ensure that patients, especially the chronically ill, get the right

Health insurers seek rate hikes under ACA

WASHINGTON — Large health plans that have claimed financial challenges from their participation in health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act are set to seek significant premium increases in about a dozen states where they operate those individual plans. Others are limiting the number of plans offered if not vacating states altogether. Plans in

ACA progresses, but costs still a big hurdle

ACA progresses, but costs still a big hurdle

Several recent reports help illuminate the state of the nation’s health care reform efforts by examining progress under major aspects of the Affordable Care Act. President Obama signed the legislation into law in March 2010 with three overarching objectives — establishing new protections for health care consumers, enhancing access to care, and improving quality while

ACA enrollment off to a good start

WASHINGTON — Nearly 6.5 million consumers selected a health insurance plan or were automatically reenrolled under the Affordable Care Act in November and December. And 87% of people who selected 2015 plans through HealthCare.gov in the first month of open enrollment are getting subsidies to lower premiums, the government reported. “We’re pleased that nationwide, millions of

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