Medicare advantage enrollment grows despite health law cuts

Also, more insight into Humana's smaller earnings in the first quarter.

CQ Healthbeat: Despite Health Law Cuts, Medicare Advantage Enrollment Stays Strong
Don't look now, but the private sector is quietly strengthening its grip on the Medicare program, at least if enrollment in the Medicare Advantage plans is a good proxy. It's happening despite the payment cuts to private Medicare plans under the health law (Reichard, 5/7).

The Wall Street Journal: Humana Earnings Shrink On Higher Costs
Humana Inc. said first-quarter profit shrank 22 percent, after a legal settlement helped boost year-earlier results. Still, revenue and earnings came in above analysts' forecasts, as Humana reported growing membership in Medicare Advantage plans, which are the private industry's version of the federal program for the elderly and disabled (Mathews and Rubin, 5/7).