Last week, CMS released a proposed rule about Stage 2 requirements for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs; HHS announced that it is sending $229 million in grants to ten states to help them establish insurance exchanges, and the Supreme Court added 30 minutes to the March health reform arguments, which will now span six hours.
IN THE COURTS
Seven state attorneys general, a nun, a Catholic missionary and three Roman Catholic organizations joined together to file a federal lawsuit in Lincoln, Neb., asking a judge to strike down HHS' final rule requiring insurance plans to cover government-approved contraceptives. They argued that it infringes on the religious freedoms protected by the First Amendment. The state attorneys general come from the states of Nebraska, South Carolina, Michigan, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
On Tuesday (2/21), the Supreme Court justices added an additional 30 minutes to the upcoming arguments on the Affordable Care Act. The sessions will now span six hours over three days in March.
On Wednesday (2/22), the Supreme Court ordered more arguments before a lower appellate court on the issue of whether California doctors, pharmacists, and senior citizens can challenge the state's Medicaid reimbursement cuts.
On Wednesday (2/22), a federal judge ruled that Washington state cannot force pharmacies to sell emergency contraceptives
AT THE AGENCIES
CMS released the proposed rule for Stage 2 requirements of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs. The rule lays out criteria that eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals must meet to qualify for incentive payments.
On Thursday (2/23), HHS Secretary Sebelius announced that the Affordable Care Act's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) program is providing insurance to nearly 50,000 people with high-risk pre-existing conditions.
HHS granted North Carolina a one-year adjustment to the Medical Loss Ratio requirements.
On Wednesday (2/22), HHS announced that it is sending $229 million in exchange establishment grants to 10 states to help them establish insurance exchanges. Half of the states are receiving this type of grant for the first time, and the other half for the second time. The new recipients are Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas. The states receiving the second round of grants are Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, and Tennessee.
President Obama signed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which includes a provision to prevent a 27.4 percent cut to Medicare physician payment rates on February 29, 2012.
Two Thursdays ago, CMS issued a proposed rule implementing the statutory requirement of ACA’s Section 6402(a) that providers and suppliers report and return overpayments from Medicare and Medicaid. The new rule would impose significant risks and burdens on providers and suppliers, including a requirement to promptly investigate potential overpayments occurring within a 10-year lookback period. Public comments on the proposed rule are due by April 16, 2012.
On Tuesday (2/21), health care cooperatives being launched in states announced they will receive a total of $638 million in loans from HHS under ACA.
IN THE STATES
The Vermont House gave preliminary approval to a health exchange bill. Unlike other states exchange bills, Vermont's will set the stage for a single-payer health insurance system.
On Thursday (2/23), Kansas state senators rejected a proposed health care amendment to the state constitution, which would have declared that Kansans have a right to refuse to buy health insurance and cannot be fined or penalized for that decision.
On Wednesday (2/22), a legislative committee in Oklahoma recommended that the state create its own health insurance exchange to avoid the federal government setting one up for the state.
In Oregon, a bill overhauling the state's Medicaid program was approved by the Oregon House on a 53-7 vote. The Senate passed the bill last week 18-12. The bill would set up "coordinated care organizations," teams of doctors, nurses, home care workers, dentists, psychiatrists, and other specialists who will work together to coordinate Medicaid-funded treatment of low-income individuals.
THIS WEEK
On Monday (2/27) from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Lehrman Auditorium of The Heritage Foundation, The Heritage Foundation and the National Review Institute held a discussion of the specific religious liberty violations of the Affordable Care Act.
On Tuesday (2/28) at 1:00 p.m. in 1100 Longworth, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on the fiscal 2013 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services.
On Tuesday (2/28) from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., AEI held an event titled "Bad Medicine: The Misconceptions Driving the Health Care Debate."
On Wednesday (2/29) at 10:00 a.m. in 608 Dirksen, the Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing titled "Putting Health Care Spending on a Sustainable Path."
On Thursday (3/1) at 10:00 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn, the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the fiscal 2013 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services.
To view our compilation of recent health care reform implementation news, click here.