CBO Report Not So Good For Trumpcare, but…

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analysis released last week estimates that the Republican-backed American Health Care Act would decrease the federal deficit by $119 billion but increase the number of uninsured Americans by 23 million over the next decade. And it looks like that’s not what Americans want. Voters say they prefer ACA (Obamacare) over the proposed AHCA (Trumpcare).

But…
President Trump took to Twitter to urge Republican senators to get together to pass healthcare quickly, increasing pressure on the Senate to act before the August recess. “Hopefully Republican Senators, good people all, can quickly get together and pass a new (repeal & replace) HEALTHCARE bill. Add saved $’s,” Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. Read more at The Washington Examiner’s Daily on Healthcare.

CAHU Call to Action

CAHU-OPPOSED SB 562 (Lara/Atkins) will be taken up for a vote on the Senate Floor this week. SB 562 will be eligible for a vote by the entire Senate, at the author’s discretion between May 30, 2017 and June 2, 2017. CAHU asks that you contact your legislator before this critical vote! For info go to CAHU’s legislative action page.

What Does A Knee Replacement Cost? That depends…
The nonprofit Health Care Cost Institute released new research examining health care spending in 61 metro areas for three common medical services: knee injections, ACL repair, and full knee replacement surgery. The research highlights variations in spending across metro areas and how factors, such as prices, services used and practice patterns, influence spending. Except, nope, California metro areas weren’t included. Still curious? We don’t blame you. Explore the issue briefs:

Medical Treatment Indices-Part 1: Spending and Price
Medical Treatment Indices-Part 2: Intensity and Utilization

More info can be found at Health Care Cost Institute’s Healthy Marketplace Index.

LIFE INSURANCE

A.M. Best: U.S. Life/Health Insurers’ Operating Income Grows Significantly in First-Quarter 2017
A.M. Best says the U.S. life/health industry’s pretax net operating income in first-quarter 2017 jumped 130 percent over the same period a year ago, to $14.5 billion from $6.3 billion, and was the highest first-quarter total since 2013. These preliminary financial results are detailed in a new report titled, “A.M. Best First Look—1Qtr 2017 U.S. Life/Health Financial Results,” and the data is derived from companies’ three-month 2017 interim statutory statements that were received by May 22, 2017, representing an estimated 84 percent of total industry premiums and annuity considerations.

ANNUITIES

Don’t Miss NAFA Annuity Distribution Summit in San Diego
NAFA’s Distribution Summit, the largest gathering of IMO, carrier, bank and broker-dealers and executives in the industry, will focus on the unique issues facing distribution within these channels. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn, share and enhance relationships.The event will take place October 11-13 at Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. More info at NAFA’s events page.