The U.S. House of Representatives today passed an FY 18 federal budget, which includes; a $3 billion increase for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the largest such funding increase in 15 years; and a $275 million increase for the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Twenty organizations representing millions of patients and consumers across the country sent a letter to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury urging the administration to address patient concerns before finalizing troubling rules that as currently drafted would undermine access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the Department of Labor regarding proposed changes to rules governing association health plans (AHPs). The comments detail several ways the proposed rule could divide the individual insurance market and significantly weaken patient protections leaving cancer patients and survivors with few meaningful or affordable coverage choices.
ACS CAN together with a dozen patient groups sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar today urging clarification that allowing health plans to be sold that would essentially discriminate against older and sicker individuals would violate numerous requirements of the health care law.
The administration released its FY19 budget today including a minimum $1 billion cut for medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), down from what the House and Senate committees have approved for FY 18 funding levels.
Congress passed a short-term extension to the FY18 spending bill that allows for an increase of at least $1 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for each of the FY18 and FY19 years, includes two years of funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and an additional four years of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) together with nearly 40 other patient organizations sent a letter to U.S. House Leadership opposing proposed Right to Try legislation being considered in the House.
Congress today included funding to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years as part of a short-term extension in the FY18 spending bill. However, lawmakers delayed consideration of renewed funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) until later budget negotiations are completed.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance allowing states to require “able-bodied” adults to work, participate in job training or volunteer in order to receive Medicaid health benefits. As part of the guidance, CMS exempts those who are deemed, “medically frail,” however the guidance does not clearly define who would be considered medically frail.
As directed by the president’s executive order, the Department of Labor issued proposed rules governing the expansion of association health plans (AHP).