Many thanks to the Hemophilia Federation of America for this great information about advocacy!
Final rules give states more flexibility to establish Affordable Insurance Exchanges
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced policies to assist states in building Affordable Insurance Exchanges. The policies offer guidance about the options on how to structure Exchanges in two key areas:
- Setting standards for establishing Exchanges, setting up a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), performing the basic functions of an Exchange, and certifying health plans for participation in the Exchange;
- Establishing a streamlined, web-based system for consumers to apply for and enroll in qualified health plans and insurance affordability programs.
To read more about the new exchange regulations go here.
The Health Law and The Supreme Court: A Primer For The Upcoming Oral Arguments
Later this month, the high court will consider the fate of the health law. Here are key points to keep in mind while watching the action. Learn more about the upcoming case here.
Congressional Budget Office: The Effects Of The Affordable Care Act On Employment-Based Health Insurance
CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) continue to conclude that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), will lead to a small reduction in the number of people receiving employment-based health insurance and for many people to obtain health insurance coverage through their employers. In response to questions from Members of Congress, CBO and JCT have prepared an analysis showing how the effects of the ACA on health insurance coverage would differ under alternative assumptions about the behavior of employers. Read their analysis here.
Great Recession Accelerated Long-Term Decline of Employer Health Coverage
Between 2007 and 2010, the share of U.S. children and working-age adults with employer-sponsored health insurance dropped 10 percentage points from 63.6 percent to 53.5 percent, according, to a new national study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC). Read the study here.
Edward Shanbrom, pioneering hematologist, dies at 87
Edward Shanbrom, was a pioneering hematologist who helped develop a breakthrough treatment for hemophilia and devised a critical blood-cleaning process that uses detergents to remove viruses from blood plasma. Read more about Dr. Shanbrom.
State Benefit Mandates and National Health Reform – National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR).
From requirements that insurers cover prescription drugs to services of chiropractors, state health benefit mandates have a long and controversial history. Critics contend mandates drive up health insurance costs, while advocates assert they ensure access to important care. Federal guidance suggests that states can avoid mandate costs by choosing a benchmark option—for example a small-group plan—subject to state mandates. But, in some states, benefit mandates for nongroup plans—which are not a benchmark option—exceed mandates for small-group plans. States then must pay for mandates not included in the benchmark plan. However, even if states leave all mandates in place, their financial liability likely will be small. Read their analysis here.
Medicaid Watch: State Medicaid and Health Cuts & Expansions – March 2012
Read the latest issue here.
American Journal of Managed Care: Early Evaluations of the Medical Home: Building on a Promising Start
Researchers reviewed the current evidence on the patient-centered medical home (PCMH, or medical home), which aims to reinvigorate primary care. Researchers concluded that although the PCMH is a promising innovation, rigorous quantitative evaluations and comprehensive implementation analyses are needed to assess effectiveness and refine the model to meet stakeholders’ needs. Read their study here.
CQ HealthBeat: HHS Considering Study on Blood Donation Standards for Gay and Bisexual Men
The Department of Health and Human Services wants input on how to design a study that would detail under what circumstances men who have a history of sex with other men should be allowed to donate blood. Under current Food and Drug Administration policy, men who have had sex with other men since 1977 are not allowed. Read about HHS’s study here.
Last Chance for Eligible Medicare Beneficiaries to Enroll in Part B
Beneficiaries who are eligible for Medicare, but who have not yet enrolled in Medicare Part B, have until March 31, or the end of the General Enrollment Period (GEP), to do so. The GEP runs from January 1 to March 31 of each year. Medicare Part B covers a range of services, including doctors’ visits, outpatient therapy, durable medical equipment and drugs including factor products are covered under Part B. Beneficiaries who enroll during this year’s GEP will have coverage effective July 1, 2012. These beneficiaries can also sign up for a Medicare private health plan, otherwise known as a Medicare Advantage plan, from April through June, with coverage beginning July 1. Read the Medicare Rights Center’s press release about the end of the GEP.
Building a Consumer-Oriented Health Insurance Exchange: Key Issues
As states develop insurance exchanges, their decisions have profound implications for consumers. This report covers three main areas where consumers intersect with the exchange. Read about the report here.
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