Ways and Means panel to review IRS mission in health law

Sep 6 2012

Several outlets report on issues related to the federal health overhaul. 

The Hill: House GOP To Hammer Health Law In 9/11 Hearing
A prominent House committee will continue its case against the healthcare law just one day after the conclusion of August recess. On Sept. 11, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight will look at how the law's implementation could strain the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (Viebeck, 9/4).

The Hill: Romney Defended Mass. Health Care Mandate As 'Ultimate Conservative Idea'
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney was always open to a now-controversial individual mandate as he crafted his signature healthcare law in 2005 and 2006, a new report says. ... By now it is widely known that the reforms Romney crafted as Massachusetts governor formed the basis for President Obama's healthcare law. The two are basically identical in their core features -; including an individual mandate, which has become anathema to conservatives. After rolling out a plan that included the individual mandate, Romney called it "the ultimate conservative idea," according to a new report in Health Affairs that revisits Romney's experience in Massachusetts (Baker, 9/4).

Meanwhile, CNN looks at what's driving the rise in the cost of college student health care.

CNN: In North Carolina, Student Insurance Costs Rise Under Obamacare
And perhaps nowhere are students more critical to the president's re-election chances than in North Carolina. ... education officials here are complicating his campaign message by citing "Obamacare" as a reason for the rising cost of student health insurance plans on campuses from Asheville to Wilmington. ... regulations requiring enhancements in prescription drug coverage and preventive care account for 12% of the insurance cost increase on campuses here, UNC officials estimate. Most of the cost increase, however, is due to adjustments in coverage by the university's insurance provider, Chartis, after the company evaluated claims experience (Hamby, 9/5).