Figuring out health law winners and losers involves trade-offs; triggers anxiety, confusion

Nov 5 2013

News outlets examine a range of policy issues related to the health law and its implementation.  

The New York Times: Under Health Care Act, Millions Eligible For Free Policies
Millions of people could qualify for federal subsidies that will pay the entire monthly cost of some health care plans being offered in the online marketplaces set up under President Obama's health care law, a surprising figure that has not garnered much attention, in part because the zero-premium plans come with serious trade-offs (Abelson and Thomas, 11/3).

The Associated Press/Washington Post: Americans See Potential For Winners And Losers Under Health Law, Causing Anxiety And Confusion
Now is when Americans start figuring out that President Barack Obama's health care law goes beyond political talk, and really does affect them and people they know. With a cranky federal website complicating access to new coverage and some consumers being notified their existing plans are going away, the potential for winners and losers is creating anxiety and confusion (11/3).

USA Today: Small Businesses Race To Renew Health Plans Early
Thousands of small businesses around the U.S. are racing to renew their health insurance policies Dec. 1 to beat large premium increases their brokers say will hit them Jan. 1 when the Affordable Care Act takes full effect. Some health insurance brokers also say 2014 may be the last year many of the companies even offer health insurance (O'Donnell, 11/3).

Kaiser Health News: So You Found An Exchange Plan. But Can You Find A Provider?
Consumers shopping for coverage on the new health insurance exchanges have been focused on the lowest-cost options. But some shoppers are trying to determine which plans offer the widest array of doctors and hospitals -; and are finding that can be trickier than it sounds (Mogul, 11/4).