Insights Column

Historic Drop in Rate of Uninsured Children Linked to the Affordable Care Act

Great news this week out of Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families about how the Affordable Care Act is affecting health insurance for children. Based on analysis of data from 50 states, t...

How One Insurance Plan Makes Health Care Affordable for People with Chronic Conditions

Due to high deductibles in health plans, many insured consumers still have trouble being able to afford the health care they need. Some forward-looking health plans are taking steps to make sur...

This Thanksgiving, the Chabot Family is Thankful for Marketplace Coverage

A few years ago, Audrey Chabot didn’t know whether she would live to celebrate another Thanksgiving with her family. This self-employed pastry chef said she was so sick that she felt like she was �...

Health Policy on the Hill: What Congress Is Doing on Health Care for the Rest of 2015

Last month, Congress and President Obama worked out a budget deal that provides relief from the sequester caps, raises the debt ceiling, and prevents a steep scheduled rise in Medicare Part B premiums...

Kentucky Shouldn’t Turn Its Back on Affordable Care Act Success

In horse racing, it is not a good idea to change jockeys when you have a winner. That is why Governor–elect Matt Bevin should not rush into a decision on Kentucky’s winning approach to health cove...

CMS Marketplace Rules Could Improve Health Insurance Choices in 2017

A year from now, consumers shopping for insurance on HealthCare.gov in federally facilitated marketplaces may be happy with some new plan choices and better protections for 2017. That's because, earli...

Consumer Advocates Should Review New Guidance for 1332 Waivers

Last month, HHS and the Department of the Treasury issued new guidance on state innovation waivers that includes stronger protections for low-income and vulnerable consumers. We believe many of its ...

Health Insurance Mergers: Questions Consumers Want Answered

Last July, four insurance giants announced proposed mergers. Anthem is proposing to purchase Cigna, and Aetna to purchase Humana. A merged Anthem-Cigna would cover 53 million people, and a merged Aet...

Health Insurance and 2015 Taxes: A Quick Guide

This is the second year that everyone who files taxes must indicate whether they have health insurance. Depending on their coverage status, some people may also need to supply additional information...

CMS Finalizes Health Insurance Plan Standards, Enrollment for 2017

There's a lot to like in the new “Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters” rule from the federal government, both about what insurers must offer in the health plans they sell on the federal mar...