1. Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator, NAHU
Legislative Update
November 9, 2011
Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator, NAHU

2. NAHU Government Affairs team
Laurel Call, Sr. Vice President and Counsel – Region 6
Jessica Waltman, Sr. VP of Government Affairs – Region 2
Pam Mitroff, Director of State Affairs – Illinois, Regions 4, 7 and 8
Brooke Bell, Director of State Affairs – Region 1, 3 & 5
Kristin Leighty, Government Affairs Coordinator

3. Current Political Dynamic

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 s 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

8. 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

9. 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
Phone:
Fax:

10. Next Legislative Update:
THANK YOU!!
Next Legislative Update:
November 9 at 1:00PM EDT