In the past week, twenty-six states asked the Supreme Court to overturn the health reform law’s mandatory state expansion of the Medicaid program, an HHS study found that 5% of Americans are responsible for close to half the country’s medical spending, and state attorneys general from 11 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief in support of the Affordable Care Act.
IN THE COURTS
On Tuesday (1/10), twenty-six states submitted a brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn the health reform law's mandatory state expansion of the Medicaid program, arguing that the federal government cannot force them to expand the Medicaid program.
AT THE AGENCIES
A new study by HHS, which examined how different U.S. demographics contribute to medical costs, shows that 5% of Americans are responsible for nearly half the country's medical spending. According to the study, high spenders were more likely to be elderly, female, white and covered by public health insurance. Those who spent the least money on health care were more likely to be younger and Hispanic or African-American.
HHS has approved 229 new waivers for sponsors of mini-med and other limited health care plans from meeting minimum dollar coverage amounts for essential benefits.
A group of 75 patient advocate organizations requested more time for public comment on HHS's proposal for defining "essential health benefits."
THIRD PARTIES
According to a new analysis from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, insurance premiums would increase by up to 25 percent if the Affordable Care Act was implemented without an individual mandate.
IN THE STATES
On Friday (1/13), the state attorneys general of 11 states and the District of Columbia filed with the Supreme Court a legal brief backing the Affordable Care Act. The states from which these attorneys general come are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and D.C.
On Friday (1/14), South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced that he will not set up an insurance exchange in his state because of the Affordable Care Act's uncertain fate.
More than two dozen Maryland state lawmakers signed an amicus brief that was filed in the Supreme Court to support the Affordable Care Act.
THIS WEEK
On Tuesday (1/17) at 1:00 p.m., America's Health Insurance Plans held a web event titled, "2012 Emerging Models: What's Next for Public and Private Health Insurance Exchanges."
On Tuesday (1/17) at 1:30 p.m., the Center for American Progress held a discussion titled, "Illustrating the Success of Health Care Reform."
To view our compilation of recent health care reform implementation news, click here.