Parsing the ACA's impact on farmers, community health centers

Mar 12 2014

Farmers, who often rely on individual policies, may find it easier to get routine medical care through policies sold on the health law's online exchanges. Meanwhile, community health centers face reduced federal support in fiscal 2016 and the battle over the law's contraception mandate highlights a dispute over whether certain forms of birth control prevent conception or destroy a fertilized egg.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Affordable Care Act Impacts Farming Families
Farm families, as small business owners, often need to purchase health insurance coverage for themselves. They also often manage employees and need to make decisions about what they will offer as healthcare coverage. The Affordable Care Act, with its many changes to parts of the health insurance system, will impact farm families in many ways (Hafemeister, 3/10).

CQ HealthBeat: Without A Cushion From Funding Cliff, Health Centers Face 2016 Closures
Community health centers, long a bipartisan funding priority on Capitol Hill, face a sharp drop off in federal support in fiscal 2016 that could force a number of centers to close, slash staff, or curtail services. If lawmakers do not intervene, a key part of the strategy for meeting growing demand for healthcare services as coverage expands under the health law will be undermined, advocates for centers say (Reichard, 3/10).

Reuters: U.S. Top Court Case Highlights Unsettled Science In Contraception
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a religious dispute over the Obamacare contraception mandate, advocates on both sides are trying to set the court straight on the science. The case, to be heard on March 25, is one of the most closely watched of the year, partly because it taps into the enduring debate over abortion and reproductive rights (Begley, 3/11).

The New York Times: Obama's New Approach Takes A Humorous Turn
In "Between Two Ferns," an off-color online parody of celebrity interview shows, the comedian Zach Galifianakis has spanked Justin Bieber with his belt, discussed Charlize Theron's thighs and asked Natalie Portman for her phone number. ... Aides said Mr. Obama's immediate reason for subjecting himself to Mr. Galifianakis is to urge young people to sign up for health insurance on the government's website, healthcare.gov (Shear, 3/10).