Association Health Plans for Small Groups and Self-Employed Individuals under the Better Care Reconciliation Act June 30, 2017 Issue Brief A provision in the Senate Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), would establish association health plan options for small employers and self-employed individuals. For these plans, the requirement that premiums cannot vary based on health status would not apply. This brief describes how association health plans could affect premiums in the small group and non-group markets.
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll – June 2017: Women’s Health June 30, 2017 Poll Finding The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers to cover the full cost of prescription birth control as part of their health insurance plans. The June Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds that a majority of the public support the requirement for private health insurance plans to cover the full cost of birth control. This includes a majority of Democrats, independents, and Republicans.
The Opioid Epidemic and Medicaid’s Role in Treatment: A Look at Changes Over Time June 29, 2017 Slideshow
How the Senate Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) Could Affect Coverage and Premiums for Older Adults June 29, 2017 Issue Brief This brief explains the key provisions of the Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), and their effects on adults ages 50-64. The brief also discusses how changes to Medicaid could affect older, low-income adults, and how an increase in the number of uninsured older adults could have implications for the Medicare program in the future.
Medicaid’s Role in Covering Veterans June 29, 2017 Infographic This infographic highlights Medicaid’s role in covering veterans and facilitating their access to health care.
Medicaid’s Role in Financing Behavioral Health Services for Low-Income Individuals June 29, 2017 Issue Brief This issue brief provides an overview of Medicaid’s role in financing behavioral health services. It includes information on eligibility, benefits, service delivery, access to care, and spending. It also discusses the potential impact of Medicaid restructuring as proposed in the Better Care Reconciliation Act.
The Republican Base is Getting Less Excited About Health Care June 29, 2017 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman explains that as Republican policymakers are focused on delivering a repeal of Obamacare for their base, polling shows that it’s not a top priority for Trump supporters, and their intensity on a replacement plan has declined, suggesting that the issue may not drive turnout for future elections.
Why the Senate’s Health-Care Plan Wouldn’t work in the Real World June 27, 2017 Perspective In a Washington Post op-ed, Drew Altman dissects the difference between the talking points and the reality of the Senate health bill to replace the Affordable Care Act and change Medicaid.
States and Medicaid Provider Taxes or Fees June 27, 2017 Fact Sheet This is an update on the use of Medicaid provider taxes and fees. It also includes information on which states would be affected by changing the safe harbor threshold from 6% to 5.5%.