Baker-Polito Administration secures flexibility to stabilize health insurance rate hikes – Sampan.org : sampan

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Baker-Polito Administration secures flexibility to stabilize health insurance rate hikes – Sampan.org

Baker-Polito Administration secures flexibility to stabilize health insurance rate hikes – Sampan.org

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has secured a one-year waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), authorizing Massachusetts health insurers to maintain the use of small group rating factors that are permitted under state law, but not aligned with the Affordable Care Act.The Baker-Polito Administration made the request to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell because of concerns that transitioning to federal market rules could cause health insurance premiums to spike for some small businesses and disrupt the insurance market."This is an important step to help small businesses prevent insurance rate hikes for employees' health coverage," said Governor Charlie Baker.


additionally cnbc

Obamacare's Medicaid expansion leading to health insurance boom in some states

Obamacare's Medicaid expansion leading to health insurance boom in some states

States such as California, New Jersey, Kentucky and Arkansas, which have expanded their Medicaid programs, have seen sharp decreases in their uninsured rates.States that didn't expand Medicaid, such as Texas, Florida and Virginia, did not experience as much of a drop in the number of people without health insurance.So far, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded their Medicaid programs under the ACA to cover adults who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level — or $16,394 per year.


by the same token on desmoinesregister

Iowa health insurance customers complain about rate hikes

Iowa health insurance customers complain about rate hikes

Buy Photo Software consultant Mark Seaton, 53, of Urbandale, tells Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart he might soon have to drop health insurance because it's becoming too expensive.(Photo: Tony Leys/The Register)Buy PhotoIowa's insurance commissioner expressed sympathy Saturday with consumers who are outraged about steep premium increases for health insurance, and about the federal law requiring them to buy policies — but he offered little hope that he could help them much.The commissioner, Nick Gerhart, held a public hearing for Iowans being hit with double-digit increases on health policies they buy themselves instead of obtaining through an employer.


by the same token on bostonglobe

Mass. wins delay on federal health insurance rules

Mass. wins delay on federal health insurance rules

State and federal officials have negotiated a deal to delay a federal policy that threatened to destabilize health insurance rates at small businesses across Massachusetts.Governor Charlie Baker's administration said Tuesday that the agreement will postpone for one year a piece of the Affordable Care Act that requires a change in the way small businesses' insurance rates are calculated.Massachusetts will have to phase out its current rules and switch to the federal formula by 2019.


by the same token on rapidcityjournal

Obama administration opposes health insurance mega-mergers

Obama administration opposes health insurance mega-mergers

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