Employers nationwide added no new jobs in August according to recent headlines, but the health care sector added 29,700 this past month, and a total of 205,100 new jobs since the start of 2011. CMS’s final rule on electronic prescribing was published in the Federal Register this week. A federal judge will allow a lawsuit filed in Mississippi and challenging the Affordable Care Act to continue.
AT THE AGENCIES
On Wednesday (8/31), Secretary Sebelius of HHS announced more than $40 million in grant funding – supported in part by the Affordable Care Act – to state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments, as well as several schools of public health, to enhance the nation's public health infrastructure and strengthen the public health workforce.
On Tuesday (8/30), CMS'sfinal rule on electronic prescribing was published in the Federal Register. The final rule, which takes into account provider complaints that the proposed rule was confusing, cumbersome, and duplicative, is a softened version of the ePrescribing proposed rules. The modified rules provide additional significant hardship exemption categories and extend the deadline for requesting significant hardship exemptions to November 1st.
ON THE HILL
According to The Hill, Rep. Renee Elmers (R-N.C.), chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee's healthcare subcommittee, sent a letter to HHS Sec. Sebelius on Tuesday (8/30) saying that HHS has failed to adequately address the needs of small insurance companies and small employers.
IN THE STATES
Earlier this year, Rob McKenna, attorney general for Washington state, joined the Florida lawsuit against the federal government’s new health care law, but that move incited the attorney general of Seattle to file suit against McKenna, saying he overstepped the legal boundaries of his role. In a ruling this week by the state supreme court, McKenna was found to have acted properly and within his bounds as state attorney general, but the court apparently did leave open the door for the governor to intervene and prevent McKenna’s participation in the multistate action. That said, Governor Gregoire – who favors the health care legislation – does not plan to force McKenna to withdraw.
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a $135 million contract for a new state computer system that will collect Medicaid applications and serve as the state’s alternative to a health insurance exchange. Kansas is among the 26 states suing the federal government over the health care legislation, but at the same time, it is actively working to set up its own alternative coverage system.
In Mississippi, a federal judge allowed a new health care legislation lawsuit, brought by the state’s lieutenant governor, to continue, denying the Obama administration’s motion to dismiss.
In an effort to curb costs, California Governor Jerry Brown has proposed a 10 percent cut in Medicaid reimbursement rates, but advocate groups are having none of it. They are urging CMS to consider the nature of cuts being made by states so no disadvantaged peoples are denied service. California has now officially requested the authority to make these cuts by June 30, and CMS has 90 days from now to make a formal review.
THIRD PARTIES
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation's monthly tracking poll, there has been a sharp decline in the number of people who are aware the various benefits provided by the Affordable Care Act. The poll also showed that only 27 percent of those with insurance provided by their employers would accept a more restricted list of doctors and hospitals.
THIS WEEK
On Friday (9/9) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., AEI will host a discussion titled, “Solving the Health Care Quadrilemma: Technological Change, Insurance, Outcomes, and Costs.” Speakers include AEI visiting scholar Thomas Philipson and Sheila Smith of CMS.
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To view our compilation of recent health care reform implementation news, click here.