Apr 24, 2017 - HealthFacts Matter

The ACA marketplaces aren't imploding

Gerry Broome / AP

The issue:

President Trump and many Republicans in Congress say the Affordable Care Act is "imploding" due to some health insurer exits and higher premiums in the individual market.

The facts:

S&P Global Ratings analysts looked at financial data at Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, which serve as the anchors for most ACA marketplaces. S&P reported the Blues' gross profit margins for the individual market went up in 2016. The Kaiser Family Foundation also found that insurance companies improved the financial stability of their ACA plans in 2016, although a lot of uncertainty remains in the marketplaces.

Why it matters:

The ACA marketplaces had problems in the first two years, such as the technological meltdown of HealthCare.gov in the first year. And middle-class people who make too much to qualify for subsidies are feeling the pain of higher premiums and high deductibles in many areas. But the recent reports show the individual insurance market is not imploding. Enrollment has been stable, and insurers are not losing as much money after setting premium prices too low in the beginning.

Go deeper

Bryan Walsh
13 mins ago - Health

The two sides of America's coronavirus response

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

America's bungled political and social response to the coronavirus exists side-by-side with a record-breaking push to create a vaccine with U.S. companies and scientists at the center.

Why it matters: America's two-sided response serves as an X-ray of the country itself — still capable of world-beating feats at the high end, but increasingly struggling with what should be the simple business of governing itself.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Axios
29 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Joe Biden introduces Kamala Harris in first joint appearance

Joe Biden formally introduced Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Wednesday, telling a socially distanced audience in a Wilmington, Del., gymnasium: "I have no doubt that I picked the right person to join me as the next vice president of the United States of America."

Why it matters: Harris is a historic pick for vice president, becoming the first Black woman and first South Asian woman to be named to a major-party U.S. presidential ticket. "Kamala knows how to govern," Biden said. "She knows how to make the hard calls. She is ready to do this job on day one."

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 20,439,274 — Total deaths: 744,941— Total recoveries: 12,632,604 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 5,180,226 — Total deaths: 165,510 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
  3. Politics: Pelosi says Mnuchin called her, White House is "not budging" on stimulus position.
  4. Business: U.S. already feeling effects of ending unemployment benefits.
  5. Public health: America is flying blind on its coronavirus response.
  6. Education: New Jersey governor allows schools to reopen — Gallup: America's confidence in public school system jumps to highest level since 2004.
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow