Last week, the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange voted to combine its exchange markets for individuals and businesses with fewer than 50 employees, Ohio began the process of seeking approval to decrease the size of the pool of adults eligible for Medicaid under ACA, and Biden and Ryan battled over Medicare reform in Thursday night’s vice presidential debate.
AT THE AGENCIES
Though the essential health benefits deadline passed earlier this month and only 16 states submitted outlines, some states (both those that did and did not submit) are complaining that there were no formal federal regulations providing guidance and such regulations are overdue.
The Obama administration awarded a $3.1 million public relations contract to Weber Shandwick to promote federal insurance exchanges. Congressional Republicans criticized this use of government grants for PR contracts to promote the law. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) pointed out that Former President George W. Bush also spent millions of dollars on Medicare-related advertising.
IN THE STATES
Ohio is seeking approval to decrease the size of the pool of adults eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act but still receive the full federal funding incentive.
On Tuesday (10/9), Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said he would not decide whether to expand Medicaid eligibility until after the elections and state revenue projections are made later in the year.
On Wednesday (10/10), the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority vote unanimously to combine its health care exchange markets for individuals and small business with fewer than 50 employees.
IN THIRD PARTIES
A new article in Health Affairs discusses the results of a simulation that shows Accountable Care Organizations that have improved outcomes in patients with diabetes actually achieved minimal to no cost savings. Providers and organizations participating in Medicare's Shared Savings Program can share the savings they achieve in Medicare Parts A and B if the savings exceed 2 percent in a year.
IN THE ELECTION
Republicans and Democrats are hitting the airwaves with ads about health care. Republicans warn of the dangers of Obamacare, and Democrats argue that Republicans would destroy Medicare.
In Thursday (10/11)’s vice-presidential debate, both candidates said they wanted to make sure Medicare was around for future generations. Vice President Biden said Ryan’s plan would eliminate the guarantee of Medicare. Representative Ryan said that the Democrats’ plan would not be sustainable for the next generations as the program is going bankrupt.