Anthem operates for-profit Blue Cross plans in 14 states and says it can expand to other states only if the merger goes through. Most Americans still get their insurance through their employers or government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and veterans health care. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe administration is also hunting for consumers who can deliver “testimonials” advertising the benefits of coverage under the Affordable Care Act. In some states, insurers have increased their original rate requests for 2017 because, they say, costs surpass recent projections. “Obamacare is spiraling out of control,” said Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee and chairman of the Senate health committee.

Source: New York Times August 18, 2016 00:33 UTC