We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. Learn more here.Close Me
The Supreme Court upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act in a landmark 5-4 decision, which prompted many in
business, the administration and states around the country to
proceed with the Act's implementation, while others are
preparing for a major political effort to repeal the law.
IN THE COURTS
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court upheld much of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Thursday (6/28),
including the federal mandate to purchase health insurance, but not
the power of the federal government to withhold Medicaid funds from
states that choose not to participate in the law's Medicaid
expansions.
AT THE AGENCIES
Medicaid expansions planned under the Affordable Care Act now
hang in the balance as state officials decide whether to
participate in or opt out of the law's Medicaid provisions. The
Supreme Court effectively said states may implement the new
Medicaid expansions included within the law and receive the
financial benefits that accompany those expansions, or they may
maintain their existing Medicaid programs without having to face a
withholding of funds for those programs.
IN THE STATES
Texas is weighing whether to participate in or opt out of the
Affordable Care Act's Medicaid provisions, which, if
implemented, would extend coverage to 1.8 million Texans, but also
cost the state an estimated $2.6 billion between 2014 and 2019.
Republican governors in numerous states that were party to the
case before the Supreme Court vowed to ignore the Court's
ruling at least until after the election.
ON THE HILL
Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill are already discussing ways
to repeal the Affordable Care Act, including the use of
unconventional means such as reconciliation, which might allow
portions to be repealed with only 51 votes in the Senate. There
will likely be a symbolic vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act on
July 11, but a larger campaign to repeal the legislation would, at
a minimum, require Republicans to win the White House, gain seats
in the Senate, maintain control of the House, and then proceed in
near perfect unity on repeal efforts, likely including little-known
legislative procedural moves.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
To print this article, all you need is to be registered on Mondaq.com.
Click to Login as an existing user or Register so you can print this article.
Whether you are an employer that provides health insurance for your employees, a business in the growing healthcare industry, a hospital, or other medical provider—or you provide services to any of those entities—you need to know about changes to the privacy and security rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Understanding the complexities of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules is often a challenge for health care providers and consumers.
Marilyn Tavenner received bipartisan support from members of the Senate Committee on Finance in her confirmation hearing to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) though a full Senate vote is being held up, the president released his FY 2014 budget proposal with health care reform and specified reimbursement reductions to providers and manufacturers totaling $400 billion over 10 years sprinkled throughout it, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sebelius
The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services has recently issued an updated Special Advisory Bulletin on the Effect of Exclusion from Participation in Federal Health Care Programs.
On Tuesday, the North Carolina legislature has enacted into law, pending the governor's signature, a prohibition on the use of most favored nations clauses in contracts between commercial health insurers and providers.
