Study: Most Financial Aid for Health Insurance Will Help Working Families

Exec says many Americans don't know if they're eligible

Starting in January, the majority of tax subsidies to help Americans pay for health insurance will go to working families, according to a new report. About 25.7 million people that make between $46,000 for a single adult and $94,000 for a family of four will be eligible for funds that will go directly to an insurance plan that they choose. But Ron Pollack, founding executive director of Families USA, which released the report, says most Americans don't know that they are eligible for financial help to pay for insurance, or how the health exchanges will work. (The exchanges, created under the Affordable Care Act, are state- or federal-run websites where residents can see a list of plans, their costs and benefits and whether they are eligible for any subsidies to help them pay for that insurance.) "This reaches deeply into the middle class, as well as moderate-income families. This is a group that's really deserving of priority help," said Pollack. The report shows that families that make between $47,000 and $94,000 will receive half the money, that 88 percent of the credits will go to working families, and that those up to the age of 36 are most likely to be eligible. (USA Today)

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Health Alert: Obamacare Will Raise Claims Costs By A Third

Official acknowledges that premium costs could go up for some Americans

Uh oh! President Barack Obama’s signature achievement as president has been his overhaul of the nation’s health care laws, which he promised would reduce costs to patients and taxpayers over time. That’s not really the case, according to a new study of the Affordable Care Act by the Society of Actuaries. Insurance companies will have to pay out an average of 32 percent more for medical claims under the new law, the study finds. That could soon increase the amount you and I pay in plan premiums. (You’ve got insurance, right?) The Obama administration is questioning the study’s projections and is holding to its claim that costs will eventually go down. But Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Tuesday acknowledged that seniors, the chronically sick, men and younger, healthier people are likely to see higher rates, as insurers compensate for Obamacare provisions that end discriminatory market practices for women. (Associated Press + Reuters)

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Progress: Obama Admin. Requires Insurance To Cover Mental Health

The new rule makes 32 million people eligible for psych care as a result

Here’s more good news to make the “Obamacare” haters mad! The Obama administration on Wednesday issued a final rule defining “essential health benefits” to include mental health care. That means 32 million insured Americans would gain access to a psychologist’s couch as a result. (And we all know someone that could use a few sessions, right?) The new rule, announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, requires insurers to cover treatment of mental illnesses, behavioral disorders, drug addictions and alcohol abuse. Sebelius says that more than 30 million people who already have some mental health coverage will see improvements in their benefits. In the past, White House officials said, nearly 20 percent of people buying insurance did not have coverage for mental health services. One-third of them had no coverage for treatment of substance abuse. What’s even better about this new rule? It will limit the costs of the care to consumers, as total out-of-pocket charges will be subject to limits. For plans offered in the small-group market, the deductible paid by the insured person cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual and $4,000 for a family.  That has the potential to change lives and transform families. (New York Times)

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Obamacare In Action: Fewer Young People Lack Health Coverage

Hispanics and the low-income still most likely to live without insurance

Need more proof that President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms are good for young people? Check this: In the final four months of 2012, the portion of Americans aged 18 to 25 without health insurance dropped to 22.7 percent, according to results of a Gallup poll released Monday. That number is down from 24.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012 and is lowest since Gallup started tracking coverage rates in January 2008. These young people, of course, continue to benefit from a provision in the healthcare law that allows children until the age of 26 to stay on their parents’ healthcare plans. Conversely, uninsured rates for older age groups held steady over last year. Hispanics and the low-income were also more likely to be uninsured, all of last year. Guess that means when the other key provision kicks in next year, supposedly making coverage affordable to millions more, and if Congress and Obama agree on immigration reform, perhaps there will be more success for Obama's historic legislative achievement. (Gallup)

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Poor Medicaid Patients Could Soon Be Stiffed With Higher Fees

Obama administration trying to butter up Obamacare-hating Republican states

Millions of low-income people, many of them disproportionately black and Latino, could soon be required to fork up money they don’t have for Medicaid health care coverage. Under a proposed federal policy, the Obama administration is trying to lure Obamacare-hating Republican states into its programs by allowing those states to charge higher co-payments and premiums for doctors’ services deemed non-emergency care. The 2010 Affordable Care Act extended Medicaid to many adults without children and others who were previously ineligible. But the new proposal could severely hurt low-income families. For instance, a family of three with an annual income of $30,000 could be required to pay $1,5000 in premiums and co-payments. Leonardo D. Cuello of the National Health Law Program, expressed concern that “many people will be funneled into health insurance exchanges even though they have special needs that are better met in Medicaid.” The public has until Feb. 13 to comment on the Obama administration's proposal. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov. (New York Times)

Before you submit your comments to the government, tell us, do you know a Medicaid beneficiary and how could the change effect them?

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For Younger Americans, Gloomy Outcomes on Health

Those under 50 die earlier and live in poorer health than peers in other developed countries

If improving health was one of your New Years resolutions, you might use these new stark findings as your motivation for success. Younger Americans die earlier and live in poorer health than their peers in other developed countries, according to a new analysis of health and longevity in the U.S. Although researchers have known for a while that Americans fare poorly in comparison to other rich countries, the new findings were stark. Death before age 50 accounted for about two-thirds of the difference in U.S. life expectancy between American males and their peers in 16 other developed countries. The countries included in the analysis are Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Germany and Spain. The 378-page student by a panel of expects was convened by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. It’s the first study to comprehensively compare deaths and health measures for people of all ages, including American youths. (New York Times)

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Shortage of Primary Care Doctors Being Experienced

Could worsen with Affordable Care Act

A primary care doctor shortage is being experienced, and could worsen under the Affordable Care Act, experts say. Nearly 30 million Americans are expected to expected to obtain health insurance by 2014 through the federal health law, and that could place a greater strain on the physician workforce. "Now with the Affordable Care Act, we're going to have an even greater need," said state Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina (Los Angeles County), chairman of the Senate Health Committee. California has a higher physician-to-resident ratio than most states. In an attempt at a more immediate fix, Hernandez said he plans to push for legislation to give pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants more authority in patient care. (SF Gate)

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New Health Care Law May Mean Less Hiring in 2013

Employers must offer coverage, or pay penalty

The new health care law may result in many businesses trimming the hours of full-time employees, hiring more part-time workers, or curtailing hiring altogether. Under the Affordable Care Act, nicknamed 'Obamacare,' businesses that employ at least 50 full-time workers — or the equivalent, including part-time workers — must offer health insurance to those who work at least 30 hours a week. Employers that don't do so must pay a $2,000-per-worker penalty, excluding the first 30 employees. The mandate doesn't take effect until Jan. 1, 2014, but employers must track their employees schedules for three to 12 months prior to determine whether they work enough hours to receive benefits, so many businesses are restructuring payrolls now. (USA Today)

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Supreme Court Refuses to Block Obamacare's Required Contraceptive Coverage

Two companies asked they be excused from mandate

The Supreme Court declined a request Wednesday to temporarily ban a provision under "Obamacare" that would require all employers to provide health insurance coverage for emergency contraceptives.Two companies—Hobby Lobby Stores, an Oklahoma-based arts and crafts chain, and Mardel, a chain of Christian bookstores—tried to challenge that of President Obama’s new health care law, asking that they be excused from having to do so, but Justice Sonia Sotomayor declined to grant an injunction. She also said the Supreme Court has never addressed similar freedom-of-religion claims brought by for-profit corporations objecting to mandatory provisions of employment benefit laws. (NBC News)

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President Obama Unveils Affordable Care Act Regulations

New provisions outline prohibitions and improvements

President Obama is moving forward with new rules governing his landmark health care law. The Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it is putting in place provisions that would a) beginning in 2014, make it illegal for health insurance companies to charge more for insurance or refuse service to individuals because of a pre-existing or chronic condition; b) require states to have 10 'essential health benefits'—such as prescription drug coverage—and websites set up that would enable consumers to quickly compare prices and plans; and c) encourage employers to promote health and control health care costs by implementing and expanding employment-based wellness programs. "The Affordable Care Act is building a health insurance market that works for consumers," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. (USA Today)

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Group Opposing 'Obamacare' Declares Papa John's Appreciation Day

After CEO threatens to raise prices and cut worker hours, group urges people to Stand With Papa Johns

After Papa John's Pizza founder John Schnatter was almost universally panned for declaring that he may have to raise prices and cut employee hours because of provisions in the Affordable Care Act that will force him to provide his workers with health insurance, a small group called Rebooting America designated Friday as National Papa John's Appreciation Day.

[ALSO READ:States Get More Time To ‘Come To Jesus’ On Obamacare]

Because every political action must now have an equal and opposite reaction, Rebooting America developed the Twitter hashtag #IStandWithPapaJohns in response to planned boycotts of the chain that urge people to buy Papa John's pizza to show support.

Organizers claim to have connected with more than 20,000 participants nationwide, with comments flooding the Facebook page of the "buycott" and the Facebook page for Papa John's .

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States Get More Time To ‘Come To Jesus’ On Obamacare

Federal government extends deadline for states to decide on insurance exchanges

Republican governors who vowed to reject implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which they famously dubbed “Obamacare,” have been given more time to rethink it. On Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius allowed flexibility on deadlines as a way to goad states into implementing President Obama’s signature first term achievement. The deadline was supposed to be Friday, but has been extended to Dec. 14. MOre than two dozen states and the District of Columbia have said they will implement the law. The exchanges are to provide a marketplace for uninsured Americans to find private insurance at government-subsidized rates in 2014. Some Republican governors and leaders in fiercely conservative and Obamacare-opposed states have done nothing to prepare for implementation of law, in hopes that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would defeat Obama and repeal the law. (Reuters)

[ALSO READ: GOP Lies To Itself About Election]

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‘No-Cost’ Birth Control Kicks In Under Healthcare Reforms

Provision was changed to exempt religious insitutions from cost of contraception

On Wednesday, new and renewing health insurance plans must include a broad away of women’s preventative health services, including birth control, at no cost to the patient. The controversial provision, amended to exempt religious institutions from bearing the cost of their employees' contraception, levels the costs of basic women’s health services. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, on Tuesday, heralded the healthcare law provision, which she says will reduce the likelihood that women forgo care because of the cost. According to an HSS estimate, 47 million women are enrolled in health plans affected by the new rules. (National Public Radio)

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Obamacare: Do Black Americans Know Enough About It?

African American rights groups pledge to increase knowledge of health care reforms

Despite House Republicans’ 33 attempts at repealing it last week, President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act is the law of the land.

By 2014, the law will require nearly all Americans to purchase health care insurance or face a tax penalty equal to some fraction of annual plan premiums.

That could be a hard pill to swallow, particularly in minority communities, where significant percentages of Americans are without healthcare coverage. According to government estimates, one in five African Americans is without healthcare coverage.

While the Obama administration has promised aggressive education campaigns in minority communities, some health advocacy groups aren’t leaving the job to the federal government.

“(The government) could do a little more in terms of educating the public,” said Aisha Hakim, former president of the Westchester County chapter of the National Black Nurses Association in New York state.

“You’d have to be living under a rock” to be unaware of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, said Hakim, adding that groups like hers are aggressively involved in church-run health ministries and tabling at local health fairs.

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Hakim, a veteran nurse of 38 years, says it’s yet to be seen if people of color really comprehend the information that is available about the ACA.

The tax penalty, which will be assessed by the IRS, is a minimum $695 per person (no more than $2,085 per family) by 2016, when the reforms are fully phased in, according to analysis by the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

Public polling, before and after the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ACA, shows just under half of Americans know the key provisions of the law. A Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll, conducted two weeks ago, found that 41 percent of Americans were unaware that the Supreme Court even made a decision.

After the historic ruling, a senior Obama administration official said the White House expected an “all hands on deck” approach within the African American community, to ensure no one is without the available coverage or subjected to the penalty.

The heath care reforms were crafted to ensure no one with a pre-existing condition is denied coverage, nor dropped from his or her plan because they’ve reached an annual or lifetime care limit. If an individual cannot afford coverage or has a job that does not offer it, the government will incentivize states to step in and provide coverage at little to no cost initially.

Several high profile African American advocacy organizations have praised the court’s ruling and pledged to continue backing President Obama’s signature achievement: