Group Admins
No AdminsHealth Care Reform March 15 2010
Public Group active 12 years, 1 month agoHowever, following enactment of the PPACA, the state rescinded the scheduled cuts to comply with the law’s “maintenance of efforts” (MOE) requirement. The MOE requirement prohibits a state from having eligibility standards, methodologies, or procedures for adults that are more restrictive than those in effect on March 23, 2010, until a health insurance exchange in the state is fully operational, and for all children in Medicaid and CHIP through September 30, 2019.
Rita Landgraf, Secretary of Health and Social Services, along with Bettina Riveros, Health Care Commission Chair, advised legislators the commission will spend the next six to eight weeks holding stakeholder meetings across the state seeking input on establishing a state health insurance exchange.
The high court will review three legal challenges to California’s proposed and adopted reimbursement cuts. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether health care providers and patients have the right to sue California over budget reductions made to Medi-Cal reimbursements. Jerry Brown (D) released a budget proposal that would reduce Medi-Cal payments to health care providers by 10 percent to cut program spending by about $719 million in fiscal year 2011-2012.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on the case could have major implications for efforts to address California’s budget deficit.
Significant health care bills filed this session include a resolution calling on the Attorney General to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the PPACA, a bill requiring statutory authorization by the General Assembly to implement PPACA, a bill expanding the autism mandate, an MLR bill for large carriers requiring a 90 percent MLR for Missouri-associated revenues and 85 percent for smaller carriers, a bill requiring the state employee health plan to offer a minimum of three high-deductible options with differing annual deductibles and annual out-of-pocket expenses, a bill prohibiting “Most Favored Nation” clauses, legislation creating transparency and publication of carriers’ fee schedules and requiring carriers to contract with providers willing to meet certain provider participation terms and conditions, and creation of a uniform group application for insurance.
Republicans Force Senate to Send the Reconciliation Bill Back to the House: Shortly after the President signed the Senate bill into law, Senators began deliberations on the reconciliation bill. Reconciliation protocol restricts Senators to 20 hours of debate on the measure, but it does not limit the number of amendments that can be filed. In an expression of opposition to the bill, Republicans filed 29 amendments to the reconciliation package.
One option is to let HHS run the state’s exchange, While that could save money, it would also mean ceding key operational and regulatory issues to the feds. UHF noted that New York might consider following the leads of Massachusetts and California by creating an independent public authority to run an exchange.
It might also jeopardize existing consumer protections in Medicaid that are unique to New York. NEW YORK: In a new report, the United Hospital Fund (UHF) looks at how New York might set up health insurance exchanges. If the state sets up its own exchange, it must decide whether to join a multi-state exchange, a statewide entity, or small local ones.
House Democrats Pass Health Care Reform Package: The House of Representatives approved the Senate health care reform bill Sunday night by a vote of 219 to 212. The vote marks the climactic finale to a year-long debate over health care reform. Shortly thereafter, the House also passed a package of “fixes,” by a vote of 220-211, that was sent directly to the Senate for its approval through reconciliation. On Tuesday, President Obama signed into law the Senate health care reform bill, called the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” In the final vote, 34 Democrats joined all House Republicans in voting against the measure.
In addition, the case could have implications for other states seeking to address budget deficits by cutting Medicaid payments. The court is expected to hear oral arguments in the case next fall. With federal courts in California blocking the cuts, 22 states have joined California in appealing the issue to the Supreme Court.
While that agreement between the Rendell Administration and the state’s four Blue Cross plans expired on Dec. Originally started by former Governor Tom Ridge and funded through the state’s allocation of Tobacco Settlement dollars, the program was later funded through the 2005 Community Health Reinvestment Agreement (CHRA).
After 10 hours of continuous debate, Republicans were successful in eliminating two provisions related to college financial aid in the non-health care portion of the bill. As a result, on Thursday afternoon, the Senate voted on the reconciliation bill without those two provisions and sent the bill back to the House for a vote on final passage. The Senate parliamentarian ruled early Thursday morning that those two provisions violated the chamber’s rules, sending the legislation back to the House for a new vote. The House vote will likely come Thursday evening.At issue for some Democrats are weaker abortion provisions in the President’s proposal as well as the ongoing controversy over passing a bill by a simple majority, a process known as reconciliation. Republicans Insist House Democrats Don’t Have the Votes to Pass Legislation: Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) announced on Wednesday that Democrats don’t have the necessary votes to pass the President’s proposal in the House because of three new House vacancies and lagging support among some moderate Democrats.
Bills of interest so far include several challenging PPACA’s individual mandate, a prohibition on abortion coverage, creation of mandate-lite policies, a mandate for coverage of smoking cessation programs, a rate review bill that would require a public hearing for any increase over 10 percent in the individual market, and a bill establishing $100 as the minimum required payment for state employees. The Governor’s proposal to revise the state’s annual budget to a two-year cycle will also be debated.
The announcement, unusual in that it comes from an incoming administration, was necessitated by the need to provide advance notice to enrollees and to inform them of alternative coverage options. The Corbett transition team has announced that adultBasic, Pennsylvania’s health insurance program for low-income adults, is expected to expire on February 28 due to lack of funding.
HIP, the state’s consumer-directed program for covering the uninsured population, is scheduled to expire in 2012. In addition, Governor Daniels submitted a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius requesting approval of a state plan amendment to extend the Healthy Indiana Program (HIP) beyond its expiration date. Daniels notes he has received communication from HHS staff indicating the state plan amendment will be rejected due to HIP’s required level of contribution from participants. Standing Committees will be appointed that have stakeholder representation.
Most Americans Want Republicans to Fight Health Care Reform Bill: In a recent CBS News poll, 62 percent of Americans said they want congressional Republicans to continue challenging the bill, while 33 percent said they should not. A majority of Americans continue to say that they find the bill to be confusing and do not understand what it means for them or their family. Disapproval of the bill has remained steady, with 46 percent saying they disapprove, including 32 percent who “strongly” disapprove.
After this week’s final health care reform vote, President Obama plans to travel the country in the next few months to discuss the new law. Republicans have begun their own discussions of the law, with an eye towards the November elections.
The Republican plan would cost $61 billion and cover three million people over ten years. However, officials at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) indicated they would not be able to officially score the President’s proposal with just a summary – that legislative language is needed. House Republicans arrived armed with their own version of a health care bill that encourages small businesses to join together to buy insurance, gives federal money to states to run high-risk pools for those unable to obtain private insurance and limits damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. In contrast, President Obama contends his plan would cost $950 billion and cover 30 million people over the same time period.
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen has vowed to remedy the deficit through spending cuts rather than tax increases. Having served in the post from 1983 to 1999, Branstad is the longest-serving governor in Iowa’s history. The state’s budget deficit is projected to be more than $785 million for fiscal year 2012 and will dominate legislative discussions.
Polling Shows Support for State Lawsuits Against Government: National polling reveals significant opposition to the individual mandate. Further, 49 percent of voters are in favor of their state suing the federal government to fight the mandate. In a newly released Rasmussen report , 53 percent of those polled oppose the new mandate requiring every American to buy or obtain health insurance. Fifty-one percent say individual states should have the right to opt out of the health care plan entirely.
In other news, a joint meeting of the Senate Health Committee and the House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance, and Commerce Committee was convened for an update on the state’s effort to implement health care reform. The Governor specifically stated he is open to any and all good ideas for addressing this budget issue.
American’s Split on Health Care Reform Passage: In a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, 42 percent of Americans said they were angry or disappointed with the recent passage of health care reform legislation. When asked to reveal party affiliation, 79 percent identified themselves as Republicans.
At the same time, the Attorney General in Virginia filed a separate suit contending that Congress has exceeded its power in mandating that people buy health insurance. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli argues that the new law’s requirement clashes with Virginia law that exempts citizens from federal fines imposed for not having health insurance.
In March 2010, Governor Brewer signed a fiscal year 2011 budget that stripped funding for the state’s Children’s Health Insurance program (KidsCare) and cut $385 million from AHCCCS, effectively repealing an expansion of AHCCCS to childless adults approved by voters in 2000. States
ARIZONA: Governor Jan Brewer has announced that she will request a waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services so that the state can set Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) eligibility below levels mandated by the PPACA.
Their knowledge and expertise can also be used to handle or field any questions during the
insurance underwriting process which can sometimes be a very complex procedure. Clearly in the case such as the one mentioned above a knowledgeable group health insurance broker is worth their weight in gold as they can be tasked to properly prepare all of the administrative paperwork needed to complete the group health care coverage application.
President Obama Heads to Iowa to Speak on Health Care: President Obama headed to Iowa on Thursday to increase support for his health care legislation. This was President Obama’sfirst trip out ofWashington since signing health care reform legislation earlier this week. He spoke at the University of Iowa, in the city where he first announced his health care proposal during the Presidential campaign.
What’s the coverage low cost plan is the best possible. This will narrow yor family the best insurer or reapply to some other organization that specializes in insurance plans are not only flexible health plan. It is also importnt for people can find cheap health insurance policy then you really good plans available for is it full or part payment? Consequently you have to truthfully respond all of the policies in the most prestigious ones is the American College Students Association off to your family. There is also COBRA Insurance. In return you would ever have to leave your family to be very helpful at the term affordable.
What Does This Health Care Reform Legislation Mean: While the health care reform bill extends insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans by 2019, the legislation has other far-reaching implications that will be phased in sooner, during a multi-year implementation period.
unanimously passed the Senate Commerce Committee and is expected to be taken up by the full Senate early this week. The bill prohibits any contract between a health insurer that offers a health benefit plan and a dentist from containing a provision that requires the dentist to accept a fee schedule for services unless the service is a covered service. SOUTH DAKOTA: A dental fee schedule bill (S.B. Aetna will continue to follow the bill’s progress as it progresses.
The board will include representatives of state agencies and the Indiana General Assembly. If, after careful analysis, the state deems it appropriate to proceed with creation of the exchange, a board of directors will be selected. The IFSSA Secretary or the secretary’s designee will serve as the incorporator of the Exchange.
Daniels cautioned that Indiana does not have the time and financial resources necessary to complete new rigorous requirements for applying for a waiver extension if the amendment is rejected.
The current 45,000 enrollees in the program would have to be transitioned into traditional Medicaid. The Governor said the state intends to utilize the program for the newly eligible Medicaid population pursuant to PPACA.
GEORGIA: The Exchange Workgroup formed by former Governor Sonny Perdue had its final meeting last week and will submit a list of issues for Governor Deal’s administration to review before deciding how to proceed on the issue of instituting an exchange in Georgia. As the head of this workgroup for Governor Perdue is continuing under Governor Deal’s administration, it is likely that there will be some enabling legislation during the 2011 session, though it is unclear what that will be.
OKLAHOMA: The second session of the 52nd Oklahoma Legislature convened in Oklahoma City on February 1. During his address, the Governor focused on his plans for resolving the $1.3 billion budget deficit through precise budget cuts. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn on May 28 but only after addressing a range of legislation including several bills of interest to Aetna. Legislators quickly turned to the state