Impact of health law on costs reaches beyond premium pricetags

Much of the debate about the overhaul's costs has focused on "rate shock," but other issues also are in play.

Kaiser Health News: Big Changes Ahead For Those Who Buy Their Own Insurance
Most of the debate about how the health law will change the individual market has centered on whether consumers will experience "rate shock" from higher premiums when key changes go into effect next year. But there's a flip side: new rules that broaden benefits, prohibit discrimination against those with health issues and cap consumers' out-of-pocket costs, which can cut far deeper than premiums (Appleby, 6/28).

Politico: How Much Will Obamacare Cost?
This is the summer when the country will find out just how "affordable" the Affordable Care Act will be. There's been a sneak peek this spring, when states started to reveal health insurers' proposed rates for 2014, the first year insurers can no longer turn away sick patients and must offer a more robust set of benefits to everyone (Millman, 6/28).

Also in the news -

CQ HealthBeat: Chamber Urges Slower Start To Health Care Law To Lessen Rate Shock
Major aspects of the health care law meant to make comprehensive insurance affordable to people who have a difficult time getting coverage because of poor health should be implemented more slowly instead all taking effect Jan. 1, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said in wide-ranging recommendations released Thursday (Reichard, 6/27).