FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Health Care Reform

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05/23/2012

Experts: Reform Law's Changes Will Continue To Affect Health System

During a forum yesterday, a senator and an Obama administration official said that several delivery system changes stemming from the health reform law are likely to remain even if the Supreme Court strikes down the overhaul. New York Times, Government Executive.

05/23/2012

HHS Awards $20M Contract To Promote Reform Law

HHS has awarded a $20 million contract to public relations firm Porter Novelli to launch a multimedia advertising campaign designed to promote the federal health reform law. The campaign, which was mandated by the overhaul, aims to educate the public about how to stay healthy and prevent illness. The Hill's "Healthwatch."

05/22/2012

GAO Report: Overhaul's Tax Credit Not Appealing to Small Businesses

A new Government Accountability Office report finds that the health reform law's small business tax credit is not large enough to incentivize employers to offer health benefits. According to the report, the credit was claimed by 170,300 employers in 2010, far short of estimates. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.

05/22/2012

Poll Finds Most Voters See Health Care Costs as Important Concern

A poll finds that 84% of U.S. voters say the cost of health care is an extremely or very important concern. When asked about which presidential candidate would be better able to control health care costs, 51% chose President Obama and 44% chose Mitt Romney. Politico et al.

05/21/2012

Calif. Lawmakers Push Reform Bills as State Awaits SCOTUS Decision

California lawmakers are trying to advance several bills that would implement health reform even if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to strike down the overhaul. One proposed measure would establish a state-run Basic Health Plan for low-income residents. Sacramento Business Journal.

05/21/2012

Study: Reform Law Would Have Added 100,000 State Jobs in 2010

A new Bay Area Council Economic Institute report finds that the federal health reform law would have contributed $4.4 billion to California's economy and generated nearly 100,000 jobs in the state if it were fully implemented in 2010. KPCC's "KPCC News," BACEI release.

05/18/2012

Boehner: House GOP Is Committed to Repeal of Health Reform Law

Yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner said House Republicans are committed to repealing the entire federal health reform law if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds all or part of the overhaul. According to Boehner, a full repeal of the law would boost the troubled economy. Politico et al.

05/18/2012

Opinion: Medicaid Expansion a Costly Part of Health Reform

In a Payers & Providers opinion piece, Texas physician Chris Rangel argues that a provision in the federal health reform law that will expand Medicaid coverage to individuals below 133% of the federal poverty level "is more likely to raise health care costs over the next decade" than the law's individual insurance mandate. He writes, "Contrary to popular belief, the uninsured do not flood emergency rooms because they can't get care elsewhere."  He notes, "They are their own best managed care system by avoiding expensive health care except for serious conditions," which they may no longer be compelled to do after the Medicaid expansion. Payers & Providers.

05/17/2012

HHS Issues Guidance, Releases New Details on Health Plan Exchanges

Yesterday, HHS said states have until Nov. 16 to submit plans for operating health insurance exchanges under the federal health reform law. HHS also released guidance on how it will facilitate exchanges for states that opt not to administer their own marketplaces. Reuters et al.

05/16/2012

Insurers To Lose $1T if Reform Law Is Struck Down, Report Finds

If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal health reform law, health insurers stand to lose nearly $1 trillion in new revenue and nearly $174 billion in profits between 2013 and 2020, according to a recent report by Bloomberg Government. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.

05/15/2012

Obama, Romney Attempt To Distinguish Rival Medicare Reform Plans

In recent months, President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney have tried to differentiate their plans to reform Medicare. The two also have accused each other of supporting plans that would effectively dismantle the program. New York Times.

05/14/2012

HHS Releases Final Rule on Health Reform Law's Premium Rebate Checks

A new final rule requires health insurers to inform consumers that their premium rebates are a result of the federal health reform law. The requirement is seen as part of an attempt by the Obama administration to boost the law's popularity. Wall Street Journal, Time's "The Page."

05/14/2012

Many GOP Lawmakers Not Moving Forward on Health Plan Exchanges

Several Republican governors and state lawmakers are not taking steps to implement health insurance exchanges required by the health reform law. Some lawmakers say they are awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on the overhaul before moving forward. Washington Post et al.

05/14/2012

School-Based Clinics To Get $75M for Building Projects

On Wednesday, HHS announced that it will provide $75 million in new grants for building and renovation projects for school-based health clinics. The funds are part of $200 million in grants allocated for the clinics under the federal health reform law. The Hill's "Healthwatch."

05/11/2012

GOP Might Avoid Large-Scale Reform Law Replacement

Some House and Senate Republicans are suggesting that party leaders refrain from proposing a comprehensive health reform plan to replace the federal health reform law if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the law. The GOP lawmakers argue that voters might oppose another effort to push a large-scale overhaul plan quickly through Congress. Instead, some Republican lawmakers want the party to take a piecemeal approach that focuses on individual health care policies. The Hill's "Healthwatch."

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