Issues | Health Care Reform
Health Care Reform Legislation
Final Version of Health Care Reform Law
This is an integrated version of the Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Health Care Reform Grants
Inventory of Funding Opportunities (updated August 31, 2010)
This document provides a comprehensive resource for information on health care reform funding opportunities. It is updated periodically to include the most recent grant announcements and program guidance. The latest Information is shaded.
Health Care Updates
September 3, 2010: CMS Issues Proposal to Withdraw Portions of Medicaid
Prescription Drug Rule The Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to withdraw the determination of average
manufacturer price, multiple source drug definition, and upper limits for
multiple source drugs. These changes are a result of lawsuit and provision
included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To view the proposed changes, click
here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-22115.pdf
September 1, 2010: CMS Issues
Guidance on National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) CMS issued guidance on the ACA
provisions related to the mandatory state use of the NCCI. The guidance is
available at:
http://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/SMD10017.pdf
August 31, 2010: FFIS Updates Health Care Reform Funding
Opportunities An updated version of the inventory to reflect the most
recent grant announcements, program guidance, and FY 2011 funding information
can be found here: http://www.ffis.org/sites/ffis.org/files/HCR_Inventory_Status_Updates8_31_10.xls.
The latest information is shaded.
August 31, 2010: HHS Announces First Round of Approved Applicants for Early
Retiree Reinsurance Program The Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) announced the first round of applicants accepted into the Early Retiree
Reinsurance Program. For a listing of approved applicants by state, see: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/early_retiree_reinsurance_program.html
August 30, 2010: HHS Seeks Additional Participants for Rural Community Hospital
Demonstration HHS announced a solicitation for up to 20 additional eligible
hospitals, which must be located in the 20 states with the lowest population
density, to participate in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program.
For more details, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21512.pdf
August 27, 2010: CMS Announces Listening Session on Medicare Data Sharing The
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a listening session
on September 20, 2010, to obtain input on the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
provisions requiring that Medicare data be made available for performance
measurement. For additional information, see: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21369.pdf
August 25, 2010: FDA Releases Guidance on ACA Provision The Food and
Drug Administration released guidance on the effect of ACA on state and local
menu and vending machine labeling laws. Additional information can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21067.pdf
August 2010: ACF Releases Summary of Health Care Reform for Refugees ACF
posted the following document on health care reform for refugees on its
website:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/whatsnew/health_reform_for_refugees.pdf
August 24, 2010: ACF Posts Webinar for PREP and Abstinence Funding
Opportunity The
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) posted a recording and transcript
of its August 19, 2010, webinar on the health care reform funding opportunity
for the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and Abstinence
Education funding: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/content/news/prep_webinar.htm
August 19, 2010: CDC
Announces Additional Funding for HIV Testing CDC published in the Federal Register a notice of intent to use funding
from health care reform for awards to state and local public health departments
for expanded HIV testing for disproportionately affected populations. More
information can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-20572.pdf
August 16, 2010: HHS Awards $46 Million for First Round of Health Insurance Premium Review Grants The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that 45 states and the District of Columbia will receive $1 million each to help improve the oversight of proposed health insurance premium increases. More information, including a chart summarizing how each state will use the funds, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/08/20100816a.html
August 12, 2010: CDC Announces Additional Funding for CPPW Program The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to use funds appropriated in the health care reform law to fund approved but unfunded applications under the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program. To view the announcement, see: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-
August 9, 2010: HHS Announces Availability of Health Center New Access Point Grants HHS announced the availability of up to $250 million in New Access Point grants for the delivery of primary health care services for underserved and vulnerable populations under the Health Center Program. For more information, including a link to the funding announcement, see: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/08/20100809a.html
August 6, 2010: CMS Releases Guidance on Home- and Community-Based Services CMS released a State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) to provide information on the changes included the health care reform law, effective October 1, 2010, to improve access to home- and community-based services. Click here to see the letter: http://inside.ffis.org/ff/ImprovedAccesstoHCBS_SMD_letterFinal_8-6-10_1.pdf
August 5, 2010: HHS Awards $159 Million to Support Health Care Workforce Training HHS announced $159.1 million in grants to support three types of health care workforce training programs: Nursing Workforce Development programs; interdisciplinary geriatric education and training programs; and Centers of Excellence programs for under represented minority students. For more information and to view the awards by state, click here: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/08/20100805a.html
August 3, 2010: HHS Requests Comments on State-Level Exchanges The HHS Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight released a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on a series of questions related to planning and establishment of state-level exchanges. To view the notice, click here:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-18924.pdf
July 30, 2010: ACF Announces Funds for Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Evidence-Based Education and Abstinence Programs ACF announced the availability of $55 million to states and territories through the Personal Responsibility Education Program and $50 million for state grants to support abstinence programs. To view the funding opportunities, see:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-ACYF-PREP-0125
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-ACYF-AEGP-0123
July 29, 2010: ACF Releases Guidance on Head Start and Home Visiting Program ACF released a memorandum on the role of the Head Start program in the new Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. To view the information, see:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/policy/im2010/acfimhs_10_05.html
July 29, 2010: HHS Announces $51 Million for First Round of Health Insurance Exchange Grants HHS announced the availability of up to $1 million in grants per state to help states establish health insurance exchanges. HHS also published a request for comment on the development of standards for the exchanges. For more information, see:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100729a.html
http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/initiative/index.html
July 27, 2010: HHS Awards $5 Million for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers HHS announced FY 2010 awards for the health information centers, which was extended through FY 2012 by ACA. For more information on the program and the awards by state, see: http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/pressreleases/100727familytofamily.html
July 26, 2010: CMS Announces $2.25 Billion to Extend "Money Follows the Person" Demonstration The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the funding opportunity for this demonstration program, which was extended by ACA. In addition, the secretary of HHS sent a letter to governors on the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which encourages states to continue to provide home- and community-based long-term care options. For greater details, click here: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100726a.html
July 22, 2010: AHRQ Releases Annual State Snapshots The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released state-specific health care quality information for 2009, which is available at: http://statesnapshots.ahrq.gov/snaps09/index.jsp
July 21, 2010: HHS Allocates $88 Million for Home Visiting Program HHS announced $88 million in initial funding for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grants, authorized and funded under ACA. More information, including allocations by state, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100721a.html
In addition, HHS issued a request for comment on the proposed criteria to be considered in assessing whether home visiting models have evidence of effectiveness:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-18013.pdf
July 19, 2010: Federal Departments Announce Preventive Care Regulations The departments of HHS, Labor, and Treasury issued regulations requiring new private health plans to cover evidence-based preventive services and eliminate cost sharing requirements for such services. To view the interim final rules, click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-17242.pdf
July 14, 2010: House Passes Technical Fixes to Medicaid and CHIP The House passed a bill (H.R. 5712) that makes technical fixes to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by amending provisions included in the health care reform law and the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA). The Senate has not yet acted on similar legislation. The legislation is available at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas
July 13, 2010: HHS Releases Guidance on Medicaid Provider Overpayments HHS released guidance on Section 6506 of ACA, which moves the deadline for states to recover Medicaid provider overpayments to one year from the date of discovery, after which adjustments must then be made to refund the federal portion of the overpayment. ACA did not change the requirement for states to refund the federal share of identified overpayments that are not recovered. The guidance can be found here: http://inside.ffis.org/ff/ACA_Overpayments_weeklynews_July20.pdf
July 6, 2010: CMS Releases Guidance Letter Implementing Provisions of ACA The letter provides guidance on two Medicaid benefits related to provisions in ACA. Both provisions were effective as of March 23, 2010: 1) Section 2303 of ACA: State Eligibility Option for Family Planning Services establishes a new Medicaid eligibility group and the option for states to begin providing medical assistance for family planning services and supplies to individuals eligible under this new group. 2) Section 2001(c) of ACA: Medicaid Coverage for the Lowest Income Populations makes certain benefit changes that were enacted as part of ACA to benchmark plans. To letter can be seen here: http://inside.ffis.org/ff/FamilyPlanningandBenchmarkSHO_Final_7-2-10.pdf
July 2, 2010: HHS Announces Funding for Support of Pregnant and Parenting Teens and Women HHS's Office of Public Health and Science announced that it will begin accepting applications for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund, which was created by ACA. This $25 million competitive grant program will provide pregnant and parenting teens and women services to help them complete high school or post-secondary degrees and gain access to health care, child care, family housing, and other support. For more information, see:
http://www.hhs.gov/ophs/oah/prevention/grants/announcements/index.html
July 1, 2010: HHS Announces New Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan HHS announced the establishment of a new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured individuals unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition. The national PCIP is now open to applicants in the 21 states where HHS is operating the program. States that are operating their own programs will begin enrollment by the end of the summer, or sooner. More details can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100701a.html
July 1, 2010: HHS Launches Health Care Website As required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), HHS released a new website, www.HealthCare.gov to provide consumers with public and private health care options.
June 30, 2010: HHS Releases FAQ Document on Home Visiting Grants HHS released the frequently asked question (FAQ) document on the first Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. The FAQ can be found here: http://inside.ffis.org/ff/Home_Visiting_FAQ_1.pdf
June 29, 2010: HHS Releases Application for Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP)
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the program application and instructions for the ERRP program, established and funded under ACA. The application as well as more information on the program is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/index.html
June 28, 2010: Federal Agencies Issue Rule on Patient Protections
Several federal agencies jointly issued interim final regulations implementing the rules for group health plans and health insurance coverage under provisions in ACA regarding preexisting condition exclusions, dollar limits on benefits, rescissions, and patient protection. The regulations are available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15278.pdf
June 25, 2010: CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Preventive Services for Medicare Beneficiaries CMS issued a proposed rule to implement provisions in ACA that expand preventive services for Medicare beneficiaries, improve payments for primary care services, and promote access to health care services in rural areas. For more information, click here:
http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp
June 25, 2010: HRSA Issues Changes to Loan Programs
The Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) outlined the changes to the Nursing Student Loan program and the Primary Care Loan Program under ACA.
To view the information on the nursing program, click here:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15421.pdf
Additional details on the primary care program can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15354.pdf
June 23, 2010: HHS Announces New Health Care Education and Training Grants for TANF
HHS announced a new $51 million competitive grant program to provide training, education, and career advancement programs in health care professions for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals. To view the funding application, see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-OFA-FX-0126
June 22, 2010: CMS Provides Information on Changes to MFP Demonstration
CMS issued guidance on the five-year extension and modification to the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing (MFP) Demonstration Program included in the health care reform law, which is available at: http://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/SMD10012.pdf
June 21, 2010: CMS Informs States of New Process for Notification of Provider Terminations CMS issued an information bulletin that provides states with information on providers and suppliers that have been terminated from the Medicare program and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) required CMS to establish a notification process. The law also requires states to terminate any Medicaid provider that has been terminated for participation by Medicare or another state Medicaid program, effective January 1, 2011. In the near future, CMS will issue guidance on that provision. To view the bulletin, click here: http://inside.ffis.org//ff/cmcs06_20_10.pdf
June 18, 2010: CMS Discourages States from Collecting One-Time Medicare Rebate
CMS sent the following letter to all State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program Directors on the $250 rebate check for eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries included in ACA:
http://inside.ffis.org//ff/spap061810.pdf
June 18, 2010: HHS Announces Release of $500 Million from Prevention and Public Health Fund HHS announced the release of $500 million in FY 2010 funds from the Prevention and Public Health Fund included in the health care reform law. The funds will support the primary health care workforce as well as health and wellness initiatives. Additional details are included in the following two press releases and grant applications will be available at www.grants.gov:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/06/20100616a.html
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/06/20100618g.html
June 14, 2010: Federal Agencies Release Regulation on Health Plans
The departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and Treasury issued regulation on "grandfathered" health plans under the health care reform law. To view the regulations, press release, and question and answer document, see:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/06/20100614c.html
June 10, 2010: CMS Releases Informational Bulletin on National Criminal Background Check Program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a bulletin on the new national background check program. The bulletin, which includes information about an upcoming conference call for states considering participating in the program, can be found at: http://inside.ffis.org/ff/CMS_Information_Bulletin_6-10.pdf
June 10, 2010: NASADAD Releases Report on the Effects of Health Care Reform on Substance Abuse The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) released a report that examines the impact of state-level health reform on substance abuse systems in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont and provides considerations for implementation of the health care reform law. To view the report, see: http://www.nasadad.org/resource.php?base_id=2104
June 10, 2010: HRSA Announces $90 Million in New Maternal, Infant, and Childhood Home Visiting Program Grants The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced availability of funding under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, a new program created under the health care reform law. For more information and to access the grant application, go to: http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/pressreleases/100610.html
June 7, 2010: ACF Releases Guidance on Child Welfare Requirements in Health Care Reform ACF released guidance on a provision of the health care reform law designed to ensure that children receiving independent living services and/or education and training vouchers, and those who are aging out of foster care have information and education about having a health care power of attorney. For more information, go to:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/pi/2010/pi1010.htm
June 7, 2010: HHS Announces $51 Million in Rate Review Grants HHS announced the availability of $51 million in Health Insurance Premium Review Grants through a new five-year $250 million grant program created and funded by the health care reform law. All states and the District of Columbia are eligible for this first round of rate review grants, and successful applications will receive a $1 million grant. For more information, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/06/20100607a.html
June 4, 2010: ONC Announces New Enrollment Workgroup The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has organized a new enrollment workgroup to develop a set of standards that would facilitate enrollment in federal and state health and human services programs, including offerings by new health insurance exchanges. Additional details are available at: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&mode=2&objID=2004&PageID=18539
June 3, 2010: HHS Announces $60 Million for Long-Term Care HHS announced the availability of $60 million in grants to states and communities to help individuals and their care givers better understand and navigate their health and long-term care options. For more details, click here: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/06/20100603b.html
June 2, 2010: HHS Announces the Multi-payer Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration HHS invited states to apply for participation in the Multi-payer Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration, a three-year initiative announced in September 2009 in which Medicare will join Medicaid and private insurers in state-based efforts to improve the delivery of primary care and lower health care costs. HHS anticipates making awards to up to six states. For more information, see: http://www.cms.gov/DemoProjectsEvalRpts/MD/itemdetail.asp?itemID=CMS1230016
May 2010: Kaiser Report on Medicaid Coverage and Spending in Health Care Reform The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured released a study that provides state-by-state estimates of the Medicaid expansion included in the health care reform law. To view the report, go to: http://www.kff.org/healthreform/8076.cfm
May 21, 2010: Treasury Issues Guidance on Therapeutic Discovery Project Program The Department of the Treasury announced the guidelines for applying for the new program created by the health care reform law, which will provide tax credits and grants for biomedical research. To view the guidance and fact sheet, go to: http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/tg712.htm
May 17, 2010: IRS Issues Guidance on Small Business Health Credit The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance about the small-employer tax credit included in the health care reform law. The guidance clarifies that the federal credit will not be reduced because an employer is receiving a state health care subsidy. Additional information is available at: http://treasury.gov/press/releases/tg698.htm
May 13, 2010: HHS and DOJ Highlight Health Care Fraud and Abuse Efforts The departments of Health and Human Service (HHS) and Justice (DOJ) announced new efforts to prevent fraud using tools provided by health care reform law. HHS also announced the creation of the Center for Program Integrity (CPI) at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). More information is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/05/20100513a.html
May 11, 2010: CBO Releases Analysis of Potential Discretionary Costs of Health Care Reform The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an analysis on the potential effect of health care reform on discretionary spending. The full report is available at:
http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=11490
May 10, 2010: Federal Departments Issue Rule on Dependent Health Coverage The departments of HHS, Treasury, and Labor released an interim final rule that addresses provisions of health care reform that require plans and issuers that offer dependent coverage to make the coverage available until a child reaches the age of 26. To view the regulation and fact sheet, see: http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/index.html#dependent_coverage
May 5, 2010: HHS Releases Interim Final Regulations on Early Retirees Reinsurance Program
The health care reform law appropriated $5 billion for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program and required that HHS establish it within 90 days after enactment. Both self-funded and insured plans can apply, including plans sponsored by state and local governments. To view the interim final rule and fact sheet, go to: http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/index.html#early_retiree
May 5, 2010: HHS Publishes Health Care Reform Web Portal Requirements HHS published an interim final rule regarding the health insurance web portal required by the health care reform law. The web portal is intended to assist individuals and small businesses in identifying health insurance coverage options in each state, effective July 1, 2010. The interim final rule adopts the categories of information that will be collected and displayed via the website, and the data required from issuers and requested from states, associations, and high-risk pools in order to create this content. For more information, including the interim final rule, go to: http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/index.html#health_care_reform
May 5, 2010: HHS Issues Letter to Governors on Health Insurance Rate Reviews
The secretary of HHS sent a letter to governors asking them to review their rate authority under state law to determine if governors have the regulatory tools needed to approve health insurance rates before they take effect. In addition, the letter indicates that HHS intends to issue guidance on the $250 million included in the health care reform law to assist states in health insurance rate reviews. For more information, see: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/05/20100505a.html
May 2010: Integrated Health Care Act Available The House Legislative Counsel has published an integrated version of the Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152). To view the act, go to: http://www.ffis.org/health_care_reform
April 30, 2010: HHS Issues Update on High-Risk Pool Programs The health care reform law created a high-risk pool program to help adults who are uninsured and have a pre-existing condition access insurance. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a list of states that would like to run a high-risk pool program and those that would prefer that HHS administer the program. To view the information, see: http://www.healthreform.gov/forums/blog/blog_20100430_1.html
April 30, 2010: CMS Issues Rule on Medicaid Benefit Packages The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the Federal Register a final rule regarding state flexibility for Medicaid benefit packages that was approved as part of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (P.L. 109-171). The final rule defines "benchmark" and "benchmark-equivalent" benefit packages. Additionally, the rule includes modifications required by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2009 (P.L. 111-3). CMS indicated there is a forthcoming regulation that will codify the benefits changes approved as part of the health care reform law. To view the rule, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9734.pdf
April 2010: Moody's Releases Report on Health Care Reform Moody's Investor Services released a report titled, "Healthcare Reform Expected to Create Longer Term Financial Pressure for States." The report is here: http://inside.ffis.org//ff/Healthcare_Reform_Expected_to_Create_LongerTerm_Finan_Pressure_for_States.pdf
April 28, 2010: CRS Releases Report on Health Care Reform The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report on the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provisions in health care reform. The report can be found here.
April 27, 2010: IRS Issues Guidance on New Dependent Health Coverage Policy The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance for provisions in the health care reform law that make health coverage provided for an employee's children under 27 years of age generally tax-free to the employee. The policy is effective retroactive to March 30, 2010. The IRS Notice 2010-38 is available at: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-10-38.pdf
April 22, 2010: CMS Actuary Releases Analysis of Health Care Reform Law The Office of the Actuary for CMS released a new analysis of the health care reform law. The report is available at:
http://www.cms.gov/ActuarialStudies/Downloads/S_PPACA_2010-01-08.pdf
April 22, 2010: CMS Releases Guidance on Medicaid Prescription Drug Rebates CMS released the second in a series of letters that provide guidance on the health care reform legislation. This letter contains information on the increase in prescription drug rebate percentages and the extension of rebates for drugs dispensed to individuals enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs). It also outlines the savings that will be remitted to the federal government. To view the guidance, see: http://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/SMD10006.pdf
April 22, 2010: HHS Releases Fact Sheet on Temporary High-Risk Pool Program The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a fact sheet about the temporary high-risk pool program included in health care reform and a chart outlining potential allocations of high-risk pool funds to states. For more information, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/initiative/hi_risk_pool_facts.html
April 2010: UnitedHealth Releases Report on Health Care Reform and Modernization UnitedHealth released a report that provides state-specific estimates of the Medicaid expansion included in health care reform. It also includes potential state savings from Medicaid modernization. To view the report, see: http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/hrm/UNH_WorkingPaper3.pdf
April 13, 2010: CRS Releases Report on Health Care Reform Law The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report that identifies regulatory provisions and deadlines in the new health care reform law. The report is can be viewed here:
http://inside.ffis.org/ff/CRS_Report_Regulations_Patient-Protection.pdf
April 12, 2010: HHS Releases Information on Medical Loss Ratio and Premium Increases
In an effort to implement health insurance reform law, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released information on medical loss ratios and premium increases. Specifically, HHS released a letter to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) requesting their assistance in defining medical loss ratio. The letter is available at:
http://www.healthreform.gov/newsroom/naicletter.html
April 9, 2010: CMS Releases Guidance on Medicaid Expansion included in Health Care Reform Law The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first letter in a series of guidance regarding the Medicaid changes that are included in the health care reform law. Specifically, this letter provides initial guidance on the new Medicaid state plan option to cover low-income childless adults. The letter is available at:
http://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/SMD10005.PDF
Staff contact: Trinity Tomsic 202-624-8577