Obamacare 'War Room' docs: We're concerned next media story is some consumers getting on website and finding fewer options, higher prices
By CNN Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper
Washington (CNN) - Officials expressed concern that the next shoe to drop in the evolving story about the Affordable Care Act would be disappointment from consumers once they are able to get on the troubled HealthCare.gov website disappointment because of sticker shock and limited choice, according to a new document obtained by CNN.
Mike described a general concern of PM (Project Management): getting to the point where the website is functioning properly and individuals begin to select plans; the media attention will follow individuals to plan selection and their ultimate choices; and, in some cases, there will be fewer options than would be desired to promote consumer choice and an ideal shopping experience. Additionally, in some cases there will be relatively high cost plans, say the notes from the Obama administrations Obamacare 'War Room' from one week ago.
Project Management is a reference to those individuals in the Obama administration tasked with standing up the Affordable Health Care law at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight.
The discussion appeared to be in reference to an October 24 story by The New York Times titled Health Care Law Fails to Lower Prices for Rural Areas.
While competition is intense in many populous regions, rural areas and small towns have far fewer carriers offering plans in the laws online exchanges," the newspaper reported. "Of the roughly 2,500 counties served by the federal exchanges, more than half, or 58 percent, have plans offered by just one or two insurance carriers, according to an analysis by The Times of county-level data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. In about 530 counties, only a single insurer is participating. The analysis suggests that the ambitions of the Affordable Care Act to increase competition have unfolded unevenly, at least in the early going, and have not addressed many of the factors that contribute to high prices.
Read: For many, Obama's promise of health care choice does not ring true
Other notes from the war room meeting describe specific problem plans, and a problem with the site that prevents certification, perhaps due to a misspelling on the website.
The Obama administration has not yet responded to a request for comment. When it does, this story will be updated.
Link: Obamacare 'War Room' docs: We're concerned next media story is some consumers getting on website and finding fewer options, higher prices ? The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs
By CNN Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper
Washington (CNN) - Officials expressed concern that the next shoe to drop in the evolving story about the Affordable Care Act would be disappointment from consumers once they are able to get on the troubled HealthCare.gov website disappointment because of sticker shock and limited choice, according to a new document obtained by CNN.
Mike described a general concern of PM (Project Management): getting to the point where the website is functioning properly and individuals begin to select plans; the media attention will follow individuals to plan selection and their ultimate choices; and, in some cases, there will be fewer options than would be desired to promote consumer choice and an ideal shopping experience. Additionally, in some cases there will be relatively high cost plans, say the notes from the Obama administrations Obamacare 'War Room' from one week ago.
Project Management is a reference to those individuals in the Obama administration tasked with standing up the Affordable Health Care law at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight.
The discussion appeared to be in reference to an October 24 story by The New York Times titled Health Care Law Fails to Lower Prices for Rural Areas.
While competition is intense in many populous regions, rural areas and small towns have far fewer carriers offering plans in the laws online exchanges," the newspaper reported. "Of the roughly 2,500 counties served by the federal exchanges, more than half, or 58 percent, have plans offered by just one or two insurance carriers, according to an analysis by The Times of county-level data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. In about 530 counties, only a single insurer is participating. The analysis suggests that the ambitions of the Affordable Care Act to increase competition have unfolded unevenly, at least in the early going, and have not addressed many of the factors that contribute to high prices.
Read: For many, Obama's promise of health care choice does not ring true
Other notes from the war room meeting describe specific problem plans, and a problem with the site that prevents certification, perhaps due to a misspelling on the website.
The Obama administration has not yet responded to a request for comment. When it does, this story will be updated.
Link: Obamacare 'War Room' docs: We're concerned next media story is some consumers getting on website and finding fewer options, higher prices ? The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs
