Jan 10, 2018

Humana leaves AHIP

Bob Herman, Sam Baker

Humana has ended its AHIP membership. Photo: Luke Sharrett / Bloomberg via Getty

Humana has terminated its membership with the health insurance industry’s primary trade group, America’s Health Insurance Plans. The formal termination came on Dec. 31, though a Humana spokesman said the company "has not actively participated in AHIP since early 2017."

Why it matters: It's another blow to AHIP, renewing questions about the group's lobbying influence. Humana, one of the largest Medicare Advantage insurers in the country, is the third major defection since the middle of 2015, when former Obama administration official Marilyn Tavenner took over as AHIP's CEO. Aetna and UnitedHealth Group were the first big insurers to ditch AHIP in 2015.

AHIP responds: AHIP spokeswoman Kristine Grow said Humana's decision to leave was communicated as "a business decision as opposed to any other drivers about where AHIP is going or our direction." Companies pay membership dues based on how big they are.

She also said AHIP, a loud voice during the Affordable Care Act debates in 2009, added 12 members last year.

Go deeper

Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 1,237,420 — Total deaths: 67,260 — Total recoveries: 252,944 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 312,762 — Total deaths: 9.132 — Total recoveries: 15,044 — Map.
  3. Public health latest: CDC launches national trackers and recommends face coverings in public. Federal government will cover costs of COVID-19 treatment for uninsured. Surgeon general says this week will be "our Pearl Harbor, our 9/11 moment."
  4. 2020 latest: "We have no contingency plan," Trump said on the 2020 Republican National Convention. Biden says DNC may have to hold virtual convention.
  5. States updates: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state "literally going day-to-day" with supplies.
  6. Work update: Employees still going to work face temperature checks, distanced work stations, protective devices and mass absences.
  7. What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Keep ReadingArrowUpdated 2 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Ursula Perano

Cuomo says New York is "literally going day-to-day with our supplies"

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press conference on Sunday that New York is struggling to maintain medical supplies while combatting the novel coronavirus — operating "literally" on a "day-to-day" basis.

Why it matters: New York City has become an epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, facing mass quarantines and stay-at-home orders. Cuomo said Saturday that New York reported 630 new deaths in 24 hours — an "all-time increase" that beat the previous day's record of 562 deaths.

Go deeperArrow48 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Jacob Knutson

Illinois governor: "The president does not understand the word 'federal'"

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that President Trump's comments about the federal government's stockpile of medical equipment suggest he "does not understand the word 'federal.'"

Why it matters: White House adviser Jared Kushner argued at a press briefing last week that the "notion of the federal stockpile was it’s supposed to be our stockpile; it’s not supposed to be state stockpiles that they then use."

Go deeperArrow2 hours ago - Politics & Policy