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The first week of 2021 open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges saw 818,365 people sign up on HealthCare.gov. The robust start to open enrollment, which began on Nov. 1, comes even during a presidential election. (King, 11/12)

In addition to providing more time off or flexibility for child care — perks that have received much attention as the pandemic has dragged on — employers are also offering workers far more access to telehealth platforms and mental health benefits. “The big realization a lot of these companies have had during the pandemic is that there’s so much that happens in your personal life that affects your work,” said Brian Kropp, a vice president for the advisory firm Gartner. (McGregor, 11/14)

KHN: Red States’ Case Against ACA Hinges On Whether They Were Actually Harmed By The Law

Attorneys for GOP-controlled states seeking to kill the Affordable Care Act told the Supreme Court last week that at least some of the 12 million people who newly enrolled in Medicaid signed up only because of the law’s requirement that people have insurance coverage — although a tax penalty no longer exists. The statement drew a rebuke from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who said it belies reason. Several health experts also questioned the argument that poor people apply for Medicaid not because they need help getting health care but to meet the ACA’s individual mandate for coverage. (Galewitz, 11/16)

KHN: ‘An Arm And A Leg’: For Your Next Health Insurance Fight, An Exercise In Financial Self-Defense

A listener asked: ‘How do I remain cool when calling insurance companies?” So we called veteran self-defense teacher Lauren Taylor for advice. She leads Defend Yourself, an organization that works to empower people against violence and abuse. As Taylor teaches it, self-defense involves a lot more than hitting and kicking. It’s about standing up for yourself in all kinds of difficult situations. Striking that posture includes using your words, and we asked Taylor to talk us through her top strategies. This year, she used them in her own health insurance fight. (Weissmann, 11/16)