• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
NewslettersBrainstorm Health

Obamacare Plans Are Turning a Profit: Brainstorm Health

By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sy Mukherjee
Sy Mukherjee
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 22, 2019, 7:30 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Good afternoon, readers!

In the 2018 iteration of Fortune‘s Crystal Ball—our collective predictions for what might happen across industries in the coming year—we wrote that Obamacare plans would turn a profit in 2019, and that certain insurers would continue to double down on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces in spite of the political bedlam besieging them.

As it turns out… Obamacare plans are turning a profit in 2019, and certain insurers are continuing to double down on them in spite of said political bedlam.

Oscar Health, the startup that has largely placed its bet on the individual insurance market (while simultaneously expanding in other directions) is adding six new states—including Pennsylvania and Georgia—to its slate of Obamacare plan offerings in 2020.

“This is the third consecutive year Oscar has significantly expanded its footprint, and this expansion brings Oscar’s total geographic footprint to 15 states and 26 markets,” said the company in a statement on Thursday.

And it’s not just Oscar. Cigna and Centene (the latter being a long-time Obamacare iconoclast and enthusiast) are also expanding their ACA offerings next year.

The reasoning, for the companies, is simple: After several rocky years and an avalanche of political disruption (including the repeal of ACA’s individual insurance mandate), the firms have concluded that there’s still significant profit to be made—especially as some larger insurers have retrenched from the markets.

Read on for the day’s news.

Sy Mukherjee, @the_sy_guy, sayak.mukherjee@fortune.com

DIGITAL HEALTH

Scientists are trying to use CRISPR to alter human sperm. NPR has a fascinating report on one of the more intriguing uses of CRISPR gene-editing technology—editing DNA in human sperm. Scientists at the Weill Cornell Medical College are reportedly testing out ways to modify genes in sperm in order to prevent genetic disorders passed on from males. (NPR)

INDICATIONS

Trump administration fights back on prices in TV drug ads rule. The Trump administration is fighting back after a federal judge blocked its efforts to force drug companies to disclose list prices in pharmaceutical TV ads. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has filed an appeal against the decision. The disclosure rule, which was issued by HHS, was challenged by large drug makers such as Merck, Eli Lilly, and Amgen, who argued that it would violate free speech rights by compelling such disclosures.

GSK's long-acting HIV injection may only need to be taken six times a year. GlaxoSmithKline has been working on an injectable, two-drug HIV combo treatment that could potentially last for a full month (rather than having to be taken daily as a pill). But the company says a new study shows it might be just as effective every other month. If those findings hold true, it's not just a remarkable advance in how HIV may be treated—it could give Glaxo ammunition against critics who say an injectable treatment would be more cumbersome for patients as it would have to be administered in a hospital setting (instead of just taking a pill at home). (Reuters)

THE BIG PICTURE

Drug-resistant salmonella has CDC on edge. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is monitoring an outbreak of treatment-resistant salmonella which appears to have infected more than 250 people across more than 30 states. What's particularly concerning is that the strain, apparently linked to beef and soft cheeses, may be affecting cattle in both the United States and Mexico. (CNN)

REQUIRED READING

How Amazon and Silicon Valley Seduced the Pentagon, by James Bandler, Anjali Tsui, & Doris Burke

From Fringe to Core: The 'Green' Economy Grows Up, by Jeffrey Ball

'Destruction of Capital': How GE's Decade of Stock Buybacks May Come Back to Haunt It, by Shawn Tully

Silicon Valley's Obsession With a $10 Billion Prize, by Polina Marinova

Find past coverage. Sign up for other Fortune newsletters.

About the Author
By Sy Mukherjee
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Newsletters

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Newsletters

How foodservice giant Sodexo is embracing AI and robotics to reshape the kitchen
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
How foodservice giant Sodexo is embracing AI and robotics to reshape the kitchen
By John KellJuly 1, 2026
8 hours ago
Exclusive: A VC firm backed by Melinda French Gates just closed a $46 million fund to invest in caregiving
NewslettersMPW Daily
Exclusive: A VC firm backed by Melinda French Gates just closed a $46 million fund to invest in caregiving
By Emma HinchliffeJuly 1, 2026
9 hours ago
The Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
NewslettersCEO Daily
The Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
By Diane BradyJuly 1, 2026
15 hours ago
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on April 23, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo: George Chan/Getty Images)
NewslettersFortune Tech
Microsoft may cut thousands more jobs in a bid to control costs
By Andrew NuscaJuly 1, 2026
15 hours ago
Image of colored bar charts with one being pushed up.
NewslettersEye on AI
AI is minting billion-dollar companies faster than before
By Beatrice NolanJune 30, 2026
1 day ago
Meet the only Black woman chair of the board in the Fortune 500
NewslettersMPW Daily
Meet the only Black woman chair of the board in the Fortune 500
By Emma HinchliffeJune 30, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
Big Tech
As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 1, 2026
17 hours ago
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
7 days ago
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Success
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
5 days ago
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
Newsletters
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
By Diane BradyJuly 1, 2026
15 hours ago
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
Success
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
By Sydney LakeJune 29, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
12 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.