House Passes Medical Device Tax Repeal
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The House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s 2.3% excise tax on medical devices. The measure will now go to the senate where it needs 60 votes to pass.
CMS Will Continue ObamCare’s Risk Adjustment Payments to Insurers
After freezing risk adjustment payments earlier this month, CMS has issued a final rule saying they will continue risk adjustment payments to insurances under the Affordable Care Act.
HHS Removes Language About Sex Discrimination
HHS has altered or removed language about sex discrimination on the Civil Rights section of HHS.Gov. Specifically, a page about Section 1557 of the ACA (the non-discrimination provision) was changed.
Some GOP Consider Restarting Risk Adjustment Payments
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) has been in talks with the Trump administration about restarting risk adjustment payments to insurers after CMS suddenly cut them. However, the stance seems to be that this might be accomplished via a bill in Congress.
The Trump Administration Cut Funding For Obamacare Navigators
The Trump administration announced that it will cut grants for marketplace navigators (nonprofit organizations that help people sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act). The total grant reduction for these assisters under Trump has been about 80%.
Trump Administration Halts ObamaCare’s Risk-Adjustment Payments for Insurers
The Trump administration is stopping $10.4 billion in payments to insurers under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program. This is likely to lead to an increase in premiums.
Kentucky Cuts Dental and Vision Coverage For Their Poorest
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin cut dental and vision coverage for over 500,000 Medicaid recipients after a Judge halted a Medicaid overhaul previously approved by the Trump administration in January.
The Next Supreme Court Justice Matters in Terms of Healthcare Too
The Affordable Care Act’s future is on the line with the next Supreme Court justice pick. Kennedy’s retirement means he will be replaced. A right wing judge could swing the courts against the ACA and more.
REMINDER: There is An Important ObamaCare Lawsuit in the Works
20 states are suing the Federal Government charging that without the mandate ObamaCare is illegal. Now consider Trump repealed the mandate, the 20 states are Republican led, and Trump’s administration won’t defend ObamaCare in Court.
Washington I-1600 Summary of Sections
A universal healthcare initiative to the people was filed in Washington State on January 23, 2018. If supporters are able to gather valid voter signatures by July 6th, 2018 (about 260,000) I-1600 will appear on the 2018 general election ballot in November. I-1600 Brief Summary of Parts I, II, III Part I creates a new… Read More
Association Health Plan Final Rules Published
The Department of Labor has published final rules on Association Health Plans. The rule change will likely result in less healthy Americans on existing plans, thus raising the costs of existing plans, but will as a trade-off likely result in more Americans covered overall.
S.2372 VA Mission Act of 2018 & The Funding Debate
S.2372 – VA MISSION Act of 2018, which passed through both the House and Senate with bipartisan support, was signed into law on June 6th, 2018. The legislation amends, expands, and unifies existing Veterans Choice Programs. Unlike the previous Veterans Choice Program, the new community care program requires the congressional appropriations committees to provide designated… Read More
Trump Administration Won’t Defend Preexisting Conditions in Court
20 states sued the federal government in February claiming the individual mandate is unconstitutional. The Trump administration refuses to defend the provision. This could lead to a loss of preexisting conditions protections.
Virginia To Expand Medicaid Under the ACA
Virginia will expand Medicaid to all adults under the Affordable Care Act now that the Virginia legislature has passed the necessary legislation. The expansion is estimated to cover up to 400,000 residents.
Premiums Set to Surge for 2019; Solutions Involve “More of the Same”
According to preliminary reports health premiums are set to surge for 2019. Meanwhile, solutions for fixing the looming 2019 problems are lacking.
Trump Wants to Cut $7 Billion from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Trump wants to cut $7 billion from the Children’s Health Insurance program. Although he claims the money is not needed, the reality is CHIP was running out of funding as early as a few months back because Congress kept delaying the funding process.
ACA Calorie Count Rules to Go Into Effect
The Affordable Care Act (ACA or ObamaCare) contained calorie count rules (which require business to display calorie counts of food). These rules go into effect today.
Does Repealing the Individual Mandate Do More Harm than Good?
Repealing the individual mandate means from 2019 forward there is no fee for not getting covered. This can be good for those who don’t want coverage, but will likely raise costs for everyone else.
North Carolina Working on Medicaid Expansion, but Finds Opposition
North Carolina is working on expanding Medicaid, but conservatives have so far blocked the efforts despite the expansion proposal including work requirements (a provision favored by the GOP). It is estimated that 624,000 residents would become eligible for coverage under the expansion plan, however for that to happen the bill needs to make it out of state… Read More
Obamacare Deprived me of Healthcare – Story
I was fine BEFORE the government got involved in “healthcare.” I used to pay$364.oo a month for my health insurance. That insurance helped me through the trials of breast cancer and radiation treatment etc. Then, some legislators decided to FORCE me to buy new insurance as they caused my own policy to be discontinued!
SS backpay and IRS – Story
I’m very blessed, but living on SS, is, well you know is just month to month!! I believe that the ACA, helps people, but good grief, you get some extra money and we lose again!! And I know, life isn’t fair……
Insurance Canceled With No Warning – Story
There was apparently an error with my health insurance payment last month (I had no idea, I thought I paid my bill) and Providence didn’t send me a non-payment notice, so they canceled my health insurance.
A Loophole Potentially Allows Congress to Repeal Some ACA Guidance
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress to undo certain rules not officially submitted with a simple majority. This includes some ACA related guidance.
Association Health Plans Rule Could Move Forward by the Summer
A proposed rule released in January by the Department of Labor (DOL) would allow small businesses and the self-employed would be able to join together in “association health plan.” Alex Acosta, a DOL official from the Trump administration, said they hope to move forward on this rule by the summer.
Don’t Forget to File your ACA Taxes or an Extension By April 17th
Just a friendly reminder, the tax deadline for 2018 in April 17th. Make sure to file all your healthcare related taxes, including the ACA related tax forms before tax day. If you can’t file in time, make sure to file an extension and make a reasonable payment.