Trump administration tells Idaho it needs to stick with ObamaCare
On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shot down Idaho's bid to allow lower-cost, lower-coverage health insurance plans that don't comply with the Affordable Care Act. ObamaCare "remains the law, and we have a duty to enforce and uphold the law," CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a letter to Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R) and the head of the state's insurance department. Verma, who pushed for repealing ObamaCare, did not seem enthusiastic about denying Idaho's bid, and she said that "with certain modifications," its proposal might pass muster.
In January, Otter signed an executive order paving the way for cheaper health plans that allow higher premiums for people with pre-existing conditions, cap the amount of coverage allowed, and exclude the suite of "essential health benefits" required under the ACA. Blue Cross of Idaho had proposed five such plans to be launched in April, but Veema said if Idaho fails to "substantially enforce" ObamaCare, the federal government will step in as "primary enforcer." Idaho said "dozens" of other red states had expressed interest in its plan to flout ObamaCare, though none has followed through.
ObamaCare supporters were pleased but not overly impressed by the CMS move. "The Trump administration is talking out of both sides of their mouth," said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). "While they claim to be upholding the law, they are explicitly inviting Idaho and other states to sell short-term, junk insurance — the exact opposite of the protections put in place by the Affordable Care Act."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Labour's Brexit conundrum
The Explainer Keir Starmer backs 'twin track' strategy – build closer security ties with EU while ruling out single market, customs union and free movement
By The Week UK Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Texas dairy worker gets bird flu from infected cow
Speed Read The virus has been spreading among cattle in Texas, Kansas, Michigan and New Mexico
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Dengue hits the Americas hard and early
Speed Read Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic as dengue cases surge
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US bans final type of asbestos
Speed Read Exposure to asbestos causes about 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Seattle Children's Hospital sues Texas over 'sham' demand for transgender medical records
Speed Read Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton subpoenaed records of any Texan who received gender-affirming care at the Washington hospital
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Afghanistan has a growing female suicide problem
Speed Read The Taliban has steadily whittled away women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan over the past 2 years, prompting a surge in depression and suicide
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US life expectancy rose in 2022 but not to pre-pandemic levels
Speed Read Life expectancy is slowly crawling back up
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Vallance diaries: Boris Johnson 'bamboozled' by Covid science
Speed Read Then PM struggled to get his head around key terms and stats, chief scientific advisor claims
By The Week UK Published
-
An increasing number of dog owners are 'vaccine hesitant' about rabies
Speed Read A new survey points to canine vaccine hesitancy
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published