Affordable Care Act

Obama: 'America Is Stronger Because Of The Affordable Care Act'

5:44pm March 23, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

The former president celebrated the seventh anniversary of his signing of the Affordable Care Act on the day Republicans had planned to start the process of gutting it in celebration.

House Speaker Paul Ryan is trying to rally Republican lawmakers to vote for the American Health Care Act.

GOP Health Bill Changes Could Kill Protections For Those With Pre-Existing Conditions

5:10pm March 23, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

House Republicans are considering a deal that would remove the requirement that health insurance plans cover 10 essential health benefits, hoping to secure the votes of conservative lawmakers.

Queue Listen Now

In 2015, Medicaid spending topped $552 billion nationwide. People who receive both Medicaid and Medicare and people with disabilities account for more than half of Medicaid spending.

Limits In GOP Plan Could Shrink Seniors' Long-Term Health Benefits

3:50pm March 22, 2017

by Stephanie O'Neill

Caps in the GOP health plan have huge implications for people over 65. In addition to helping low-income seniors with long-term care, Medicaid helps pay for some of their Medicare premiums and copays.

Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, speaks to a crowd of Donald Trump supporters at a Trump campaign rally in Tucson, Ariz., in 2016. Brewer sided with Arizona Democrats to expand Medicaid eligibility in the state under Obamacare.

Repeal Of Health Law Could Force Tough Decisions For Arizona Republicans

12:10pm March 22, 2017

by Will Stone

The state expanded Medicaid under a Republican governor a few years ago, extending health coverage to hundreds of thousands of Arizonans. But the GOP plan in Congress would cut much of that funding.

Queue Listen Now

Adding a work requirement to Medicaid could make it harder for people who have health problems from getting access to care, analysts say.

Medicaid Work Requirement Wouldn't Shrink Spending Much

7:06pm March 21, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Most of the people on Medicaid are elderly, disabled or children, so a GOP proposal to require able-bodied recipients to work probably won't add up to big cost savings, analysts say.

The GOP health plan has its own penalty for people who don't have health insurance. The "continuous coverage" penalty increases the cost of the premiums for anyone buying an individual insurance policy if they have gone 63 or more consecutive days without

GOP Health Plan Has Its Own Financial Stick To Prod People To Buy Insurance

9:32am March 21, 2017

The GOP plan would fine insurance buyers who had a lapse in coverage of more than 63 days a year. The penalty? A 30 percent surcharge every month for 12 months.

Gov. Sam Brownback delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Kansas Legislature in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 10. Lawmakers are considering whether to expand Medicaid, which Brownback opposes.

As ACA Repeal Vote Nears, Kansas Debates Expanding Medicaid

3:49pm March 20, 2017

by Jim McLean

An estimated 300,000 Kansans could qualify for health care coverage, which comes as Congress debates replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Affordable Care Act replacement legislation in February.

Leading The Charge Against The GOP Health Plan, Rep. Mark Meadows Is Right At Home

3:37pm March 20, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

Republican Rep. Mark Meadows enjoys strong support in his western North Carolina district as he leads conservative opposition to the GOP's health overhaul plan.

NPR and Kaiser Health News take on your questions about the GOP bill to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Tax Credits, Penalties And Age Rating: Parsing The GOP Health Bill

12:14pm March 20, 2017

As the GOP bill to replace the Affordable Care Act begins to move through Congress, reporters for NPR and Kaiser answer your questions about what it might mean for your health plan.

Queue Listen Now

Luke Franco, 26, works three jobs and doesn't know whether he qualifies for Medicaid or a subsidy to buy coverage on the exchange set up under the Affordable Care Act.

How Millennials Win And Lose Under The GOP Health Bill

8:36am March 19, 2017

by Kristin Gourlay

The Affordable Care Act covers 8 million millennials through Medicaid expansion, insurance exchanges, and the ability to stay on a parent's plan until age 26. The GOP health bill limits some options.

Queue Listen Now