May 8, 2017 - Health

Connecticut insurers request hefty ACA rate hikes

Jessica Hill / AP

Only two health insurers sell Affordable Care Act plans on Connecticut's individual exchange, and premium rates could go up by a lot next year for the 86,000 people in the market. Anthem asked regulators for a 33.8% average rate hike to its 2018 individual plans, and ConnectiCare requested a 15.2% average increase. Both cited "increasing medical costs and greater demand for medical services."

Rates for policies sold off the exchange and for plans sold to small employers also could go up well above 10% on average. Connecticut's preliminary rates mirror the rate requests in Maryland last week, which were also high.

Our thought bubble: These are requested rates, not approved rates. But the Connecticut proposals assumed that the cost-sharing subsidies would be in place and that the individual mandate would be enforced — indicating health insurers are still recovering from underpricing their plans and are expecting more costly medical bills.

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15 states broke single-day coronavirus records this week

Data: Compiled from state health departments by Axios; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

At least 15 states broke their single-day novel coronavirus infection records this week, according to state health department data reviewed by Axios.

The big picture: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Andrew Withershoop and Caitlin Owens report.

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Axios
Updated 10 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

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  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 2,818,588 — Total deaths: 129,584 — Total recoveries: 883,561 — Total tested: 34,213,497 — Map.
  3. States: Photos of America's pandemic July 4 — ICU beds in Arizona's hot spot reach near capacity.
  4. Public health: U.S. coronavirus infections hit record highs for 3 straight days.
  5. Politics: Trump extends PPP application deadline — Kimberly Guilfoyle tests positive.
  6. World: Mexican leaders call for tighter border control as infections rise in U.S.
  7. Sports: 31 MLB players test positive as workouts resume.
  8. 1 📽 thing: Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback.
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Rashaan Ayesh
11 hours ago - Health

In photos: America celebrates July 4 during global pandemic

Photo: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

The U.S. has already celebrated Easter, graduations and so much more during the coronavirus pandemic, and now it can add July 4 to the list.

The state of play: Axios' Stef Kight writes public parades and fireworks displays around much of the country are being canceled to prevent mass gatherings where the virus could spread. Hot-dog contests and concerts will play to empty stands and virtual audiences — all while American pride treads an all-time low.

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