Implementation issues: Coverage 'ping pong' among emerging concerns

May 22 2013

The notion of how life events could cause disrupted health coverage is a focus for policy makers. In addition, news outlets also are reporting on developments related to high-risk pools, and a break between the White House and organized labor regarding how the implementation process is shaping up.

Los Angeles Times: Some Could Have Gaps In Medical Coverage Under New Law
When the national health care law takes full effect next year, millions of Americans risk disrupted health coverage because of common life events: getting married or divorced, having children or taking on a second job. As their family incomes change, so too will their eligibility for public insurance programs. And if nothing is done, policymakers warn, many low-income patients will lose access to their doctors and medications during this massive game of health coverage pingpong. Policymakers and health care industry leaders across the nation are paying close attention to the issue and working to close the coverage gaps before Jan. 1, said Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy (Gorman, 5/20).

The New York Times: Overruns Forcing Lower Payments To Some Providers In Stopgap Health Program
The Obama administration said Monday that it was cutting payments to doctors and hospitals after finding that cost overruns are threatening to use up the money available in a health insurance program for people with cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses (Pear, 5/20).

The Hill: Labor Unions Break Ranks With White House On ObamaCare
Labor unions are breaking with President Obama on ObamaCare. Months after the president's reelection, a variety of unions are publicly balking at how the administration plans to implement the landmark law. They warn that unless there are changes, the results could be catastrophic (Bogardus, 5/21).