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According to a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation, many Americans may be willing “to trade access to a wide range of medical providers for lower premiums” on their health insurance. As the Los Angeles Times  (2/27, Levey) reports network limits stemming from the Affordable Care Act “have drawn criticism from opponents” of the law. However, the poll suggested this may not remain a point of contention, as “54% of those between the ages of 18 and 64 who are uninsured or who buy health coverage on their own said they would rather have a health plan that costs less, even if it has a limited range of doctors and hospitals.”

Bloomberg News  (2/27, Chen) reports that the poll shows “consumers shopping on the Obamacare exchanges are thriftier than the general public,” or as Dan Mendelson, chief executive officer of Avalere Health puts it, “The individual market has always been more sensitive to costs.”

The Kaiser Health News  (2/27, Rau) “Capsules” blog notes that among those who purchase coverage through their employer, the numbers are reversed: “fifty-five percent would rather buy a plan that costs more but allows them to see a wider range of doctors and hospitals.”

Yes. There’s a new voluntary long term care program. There are new nutritional labeling requirements. Chain retailers and vending machines must display nutrition information, mainly calories. Indoor tanning services pay a 10% tax. Nursing mothers get extended break times and private facilities (other than a bathroom). New adoption assistance includes new tax breaks.

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Medicare eligible employees are affected by PPACA as follows:
• Provides a $250 rebate to those who reach the Part D coverage gap in 2010.
• Phases down to 25% by 2020 the beneficiary coinsurance rate in the Part D coverage gap.
• For brand-name drugs, requires drug makers to provide a 50% discount on Part D prescriptions filled in the Part D coverage gap, in addition to federal subsidies of 25% of brand-name drug cost by 2020.
• For generics, provides federal subsidies of 75% of the generic drug cost by 2020 for prescriptions filled in the Part D coverage gap.
• Reduces, between 2014 and 2019, the out-of-pocket amount that qualifies an enrollee for catastrophic coverage.
• Possible reduction in access to providers or coverage options because of changes to provider reimbursement levels.

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