Health Insurance Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Insurance issues in connection with the Affordable Care Act.
09.03.2018  | GOP Pre-Existing Condition Bill Faces Unclear Path
Nearly a dozen Republican senators introduced legislation to bar health insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions.
06.25.2018  | Association Health Plans Expanded, Drawing Criticism
The Department of Labor last week released a final rule that allows for the expansion of Association Health Plans.
04.30.2018  | Mass. Providers, Insurers, Consumers Unite to Oppose Rule
A federal proposed rule to allow short-term, limited-duration insurance could expose individuals to higher healthcare costs.
03.05.2018  | FY19 Budget Priorities for House Ways & Means Committee
MHA weighed in with the House Ways & Means Committee as it prepares to take the next step in the state’s budget process.
02.19.2018  | The Trump HHS Budget for Fiscal 2019
Last Monday, the Trump Administration released its FY2019 budget proposal.
02.12.2018  | New National Group to Address Big Healthcare Issues
A new healthcare policy/advocacy group – United States of Care – launched last week.
01.18.2018  | What’s On Tap on Capitol Hill
In Washington, the Senate returned last week and the House follows this week.
12.19.2017  | SB1174 etal Omnibus Healthcare Facilities Testimony
SB1174, HB1181/SB1183, SB1269, HB1136, HB1137, HB1207, HB3250, SB1248, SB1270, HB1175, HB1197, SB1230, HB2441, HB2477, HB3514, SB1212, SB1234 Healthcare Facilities
12.18.2017  | Tim Gens – the Heart and Soul of MHA – to Leave MHA
Tim Gens, who has provided the intellectual and compassionate foundation for MHA’s strategy and policy efforts for 23 years, announced he will leave the association, effective Dec. 31.
12.11.2017  | Current, and Future, Tax Bill Concerns
The House and Senate tax bills now moving to conference committee each contain provisions that are of concern to hospitals.
12.04.2017  | CMS Scraps Key Mandatory Bundled Payment Programs
Last Thursday CMS cancelled two mandatory bundled payment models – relating to hip fracture and cardiac care – that were scheduled to begin on January 1.
11.20.2017  | Yet Another Attempt to Dismantle the ACA
The U.S. House passed a $1.5 trillion tax cut bill last Thursday while the U.S. Senate continued work on its own tax cut proposal.
11.20.2017  | MHA-Supported Contraceptive Bill Passes Legislature
The Massachusetts House and Senate last Tuesday both passed the ACCESS bill that guarantees women access to preventive healthcare, including contraception coverage, without co-pays. The bill now awaits Governor Baker’s signature.
11.06.2017  | House Passes CHIP Bill, But Its Future is Unclear
The U.S. House on Friday passed legislation to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for five years.
10.31.2017  | The HEALTH Act
An Act Furthering Health Empowerment and Affordability by Leveraging Transformative Health Care (the HEALTH Act)
10.30.2017  | SB566 An Act Relative to an Affordable Health Plan
SB566 An Act Relative to an Affordable Health Plan
10.30.2017  | HB2183, HB495, HB2157/SB565, SB595, HB538 Health and Dental Insurance Matters
HB2183, HB495, HB2157/SB565, SB595, HB538 Health and Dental Insurance Matters
10.23.2017  | Dithering on CSRs Results in Premium Spike
A key Senate Republican, Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) worked this week to show President Donald Trump that the bill Alexander crafted with Democrat Patty Murray (D-Wash.) helps consumers – not insurers – by funding cost-sharing reductions (CSR).
10.16.2017  | Trump Actions Destabilize Nation’s Healthcare System
Fulfilling a campaign promise, but angering a wide swath of hospitals, physicians, healthcare insurers, patient advocacy groups, and other interests with an interest in practical healthcare policy, President Donald Trump this week issued two decision
10.09.2017  | Good First Steps this Week for CHIP and DSH Funding
Two big priorities for the Massachusetts healthcare community – preserving the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and stalling Medicaid cuts to disproportionate share hospitals – were helped this week by Congressional action.

Resources

Click on the links below for easy access to important information related to state healthcare issues and advocacy.
Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts websites below to find information on legislative hearings and other meetings of interest to the healthcare community.
To guide your navigation of the legislative process and assist your advocacy efforts, please visit the following state websites:
MHA has also developed the following documents for your information and benefit: