OVERNIGHT HEALTH: O-Care activists tout tax credits

by Jonathan Easley - 04/02/14 6:11 PM ET

Activists who worked to enroll people in private plans under ObamaCare said highlighting available financial assistance proved the single best way to encourage sign-ups.   

Enroll America, a group with close ties to the White House, said its consumer outreach efforts produced the best results after they began to focus on the federal tax credits available to make coverage more affordable.

 {mosads}The Obama administration and many groups assisting in the enrollment effort relied heavily on consumer anecdotes as publicity for the marketplaces.   

But Enroll America reported Wednesday that after recalibrating its message to focus on tax credits, its click-through rates on digital ads and emails to consumers immediately rose, in some cases by 150 percent.

Elise Viebeck at The Hill reports.

Workweek: The House on Wednesday advanced legislation that would eliminate language in ObamaCare that Republicans say is forcing millions of workers to accept fewer hours and smaller paychecks. In a 236-186 vote, members approved a rule governing debate on the Save American Workers Act, H.R. 2575. Seven Democrats voted for the rule. Pete Kasperowicz at The Hill reports.

Lobbying: The law firm McDermott Will & Emery is spinning off some of its lobbying services into a new shop called McDermottPlus. The firm’s subsidiary will provide consulting services to the healthcare industry, including lobbying, “data analytics and modeling and policy advice,” the firm said Wednesday. Megan R. Wilson at The Hill reports.

Budget: The House GOP’s top vote-counter said Wednesday the latest budget authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will pass when it hits the floor next week. Ryan unveiled his fourth budget resolution as a committee chairman on Tuesday, and while it is similar to his previous three, the GOP leadership could lose more votes this year than in the past. “It’ll pass,” Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said during a leadership press conference. Russell Berman at The Hill reports.

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