Health Care
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Health Care
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Trump eyes slashing ACA enrollment period |
The Trump administration is proposing shortening the period in which people can enroll in Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans and disallowing “Dreamers” from getting coverage through the program. |
ACA enrollment lasts from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. According to a proposal released on Monday, the Trump administration is calling for this period to be shortened by one month to Dec. 15, claiming this will help “streamline the enrollment process.”
“This proposal aims to reduce consumer confusion, streamline the enrollment process, align more closely with open enrollment dates for many employer-based health plans, encourage continuous coverage, and reduce the risk of adverse selection from consumers who otherwise may wait to enroll until they need health care services,” the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said in a fact sheet. CMS also proposed that “sex-trait modification” may not be covered as an essential health benefit beginning in plan year 2026.
In addition to the shortened enrollment period, CMS on Monday proposed ending ObamaCare coverage for immigrants that came into the U.S. illegally as children, also known as “Dreamers.” The proposal would undo a Biden-era rule that was estimated to allow 147,000 immigrants to enroll in coverage. A federal judge blocked the rule from being enforced in 19 states, and it is still being litigated.
Remember: During Trump’s first term, he shortened open enrollment to seven weeks and limited outreach, resulting in significant drops in open enrollment.
Under the Biden administration, enrollment through the ACA saw consecutive years of record enrollment with 24 million people choosing plans during the most recent open enrollment period. Much of this was credited to expanded ACA subsidies, which are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. |
Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.
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How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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A Maryland resident with recent international travel has confirmed to be infected with a case of measles. The Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials announced Sunday that a person who recently traveled internationally was confirmed to be infected. The case was not associated with the current measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. “Out of an abundance of caution, health officials are coordinating … |
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Three Democratic senators want answers from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his private meetings with drugmakers alongside President Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla. In a letter to Kennedy sent Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he “owes the public an explanation” for what happened during the meetings, why he took part, … |
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Democratic lawmakers and veterans’ groups are fuming over the Department of Veterans Affairs’s (VA) plans to cut roughly 80,000 employees in the coming months, decrying the lack of transparency and lack of pushback from their colleagues across the aisle. VA officials insist the dismissals won’t damage or delay veterans’ medical care or benefits. VA Secretary Doug Collins, who confirmed the planned firings … |
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Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: |
- Shutdown watch: Government funding expires on Friday.
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The Senate HELP Committee will vote Thursday morning on the nominations of Jay Bhattacharya as director of the NIH and Marty Makary as FDA commissioner
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Also Thursday, the HELP Committee holds a confirmation hearing for CDC director nominee David Weldon—the first time a CDC director has needed to be confirmed.
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
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With a crumbling public health infrastructure, rural Texas scrambles to respond to measles (The Texas Tribune)
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Trump’s proposed budget cuts to EPA and NIH spark alarm in North Carolina (North Carolina Health News)
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Fate of Wyoming’s last abortion clinic in balance as Republicans take aim (The Guardian)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
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Most read stories on The Hill right now: |
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The government of Ontario is applying a 25 percent surcharge starting Monday on electricity exports to three U.S. states in response to U.S. tariffs … Read more
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The Trump administration is eyeing a 30 percent payroll reduction at the National Park Service, signaling big cuts at a high-profile government agency … Read more |
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Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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