Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator, NAHU Legislative Update November 9, 2011 Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator, NAHU
NAHU Government Affairs team Laurel Call, Sr. Vice President and Counsel – Region 6 lcall@nahu.org 202.595.3684 Jessica Waltman, Sr. VP of Government Affairs – Region 2 jwaltman@nahu.org 202.595.3676 Pam Mitroff, Director of State Affairs – Illinois, Regions 4, 7 and 8 pmitroff@nahu.org 202.595.3685 Brooke Bell, Director of State Affairs – Region 1, 3 & 5 bbell@nahu.org 202.595.3675 Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator kleighty@nahu.org 202.595.3678
Current Political Dynamic
Congressional & Federal Activity Grassroots Activity Cosponsor total at 135! Operation Shout! advocacy messages Push for 218! JOBS strategy NAIC Update State MLR Waiver Status Approved: ME, NH, KY, NV, IA Denied: ND, Guam (deemed unnecessary), DE Pending Applications: FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, TX, MI, OK, NC
EHB: Essential Health Benefits Package Update Institute of Medicine Releases Much-Anticipated Essential Benefits Report in early October Major Takeaways: - package should reflect current small employer offerings - states should be able to influence their own packages - health care cost containment should be strongly considered - National Benefits Advisory Council should be formed HHS Announces Nation-Wide Listening Sessions on EHBs HHS will now hear from providers, consumer groups, employers, agents and insurers regarding the essential health benefits package between Nov. 4-21, 2011. - 10-city tour - Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, New York, Kansas City, Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, San Francisco
Final ACO Rule Released HHS released final rule last month for PPACA’s Accountable Care Organization initiative. Rule lays the groundwork for creating the ACOs and attracting providers to participate. Obama administration made major changes to win over providers: - Eliminated a requirement that all ACOs be exposed to risk - ACOs will only be evaluated on 33 quality measures (down from 65) - Changes Medicare beneficiaries assignment process for ACOs (beneficiaries will now be assigned up front) FTC and Justice Department also released more attractive anti-trust guidance
PPACA’S CLASS ACT is Dismissed! CLASS Act Investigation Bicameral Republican Repeal CLASS Working Group releases critical report charging many in the Administration from keeping doubts about the CLASS Act from Congress and the American Public in an effort to pass PPACA. Critics use this report to fuel calls for CLASS repeal Rumors Fly that the CLASS Act Office is Closing at HHS Lead HHS CLASS Act Actuary Bob Yee sends emails to his colleagues saying he is leaving his position immediately because the CLASS Act office at HHS is closing. Administration Announces Halt to Implementation of the program CBO will Eliminate any of the program’s projected savings
Exchange Developments NAHU submits extensive comments on Exchange regulations October 31 was the deadline Many state chapters sent a supplementary comment letter to HHS as well NAIC Discusses Exchanges
1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1100 Mark Your Calendar… NAHU’s 2012 Capitol Conference January 23-25, 2012 Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. NAHU Moved! New Address: 1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: 202.552.5060 Fax: 202.747.6820
Next Legislative Update: THANK YOU!! Next Legislative Update: November 9 at 1:00PM EDT