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Federal Update   The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced several important changes to the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) this week.   Among the 23 ... some best practices that are being shared among all the states.   State Update   Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed the state’s health insurance exchange legislation into law on Wednesday. Colorado joined five other states that have enacted legislation (California, Maryland, ... and implementation.   Litigation   The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments yesterday on a challenge to the Affordable Care Act, but the three judge panel hearing the case must first rule on the motion to dismiss that the Obama administration filed last week. The ...

... spending, which includes funding for key cancer research, prevention, and early detection programs. Highlights of cuts to priority programs: Health insurance exchange grants to the states are being cut by $44 million. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) budget is being cut. The IRS has numerous enforcement responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Prevention and Public Health Fund is being cut by $51 million. The National Institutes of Health is being cut by $1.545 billion, including a $253 million cut to the ...

Policy Update   New Health Insurance Enrollment Tool Available   The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a new tool on healthcare.gov to help consumers who still need health insurance coverage determine whether they are eligible for special enrollment, Medicaid and/or the Children’s Health Insurance Program ... benefits, “cancer patients are in a much better position than they were originally.”   Doctor Shortages   Recent news coverage of primary care physician shortages of at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals resulting in long waits for medical care has sparked comparisons to potential doctor ...

... Task Force, and to recommended adult vaccines. States will receive the increase for services provided through fee-for-service or managed care basis, or through a benchmark or benchmark-equivalent benefit plan (referred to as an "alternative benefit plan"). Alternative benefit plans ... for those services.    Tax Credits   Last week, the Treasury Department issued a final regulation on eligibility for tax credits in the health insurance exchanges. The regulation includes a provision that may adversely affect families with employer-provided health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), if a person has to pay more than 9.5 percent of their income for health insurance provided ...