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While roughly 83% of adults in the United States will visit a health care provider in the next year, an estimated
News
8-11-11 Affordable Care Act Update
August 12, 2011
Federal Update
Members appointed to the Bi-Cameral Deficit Reduction "Super Committee"
On August 2nd, Congress passed and the President signed S. 365, the Budget Control Act of 2011, before both Houses adjourned for the August recess. The legislation raised the debt ceiling to last into 2013 beyond the presidential election next year. In addition, the legislation called for between $2.2 and $2.4 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade. The first round of spending cuts will total $935 billion over the next decade, and be achieved through statutory caps in discretionary spending that will take effect beginning in FY 2012.
The second round of savings will be initiated by a special congressional committee mandated in the legislation to recommend $1.2 trillion in additional savings by November 23, 2011. If this so-called super committee is unable to produce a bill or Congress fails to pass it by December 23rd, a process to force automatic across-the-board cuts in domestic and defense spending would start with the first such cuts taking place in January 2013.
The new law directed Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and the Senate to appoint the members of the super committee. To date, all 12 Members of the panel have been selected. Speaker John Boehner tapped House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (TX) to serve as Co-chair, and named Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton to the panel. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named Representatives James Clyburn (SC), Xavier Becerra (CA), and Chris Van Hollen (MD). Senate Majority Leader Reid tapped Senator Patty Murray (WA) to serve as Co-chair, and also named Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (MT) and Senator John Kerry (MA). Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell named Republican Whip John Kyl (AZ), Senator Rob Portman (OH), and Senator Pat Toomey (PA). The super committee will begin meeting mid-September.
ACS CAN will be closely monitoring the work of the super committee, and will be working to protect federal funding for lifesaving cancer research and prevention programs, as well as important programs that assure cancer patients access to health care like Medicare and Medicaid. As we continue to press forward, we will keep you apprised of further developments.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Releases Community Health Center Funding
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This week HHS announced awards of $28.8 million to 67 community health center programs across the country. These funds, made available by the Affordable Care Act, will help to establish new health service delivery sites to care for an additional 286,000 patients nationwide. Community health centers deliver comprehensive, high-quality preventive and primary health care to the nation's underserved communities and vulnerable populations.
More information can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/08/20110809a.html |
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Media/Polling
State Update - 2011 How Do You Measure Up? Report
Today, ACS CAN released the ninth edition of the annual How Do You Measure Up? report that measures where states stand on issues that play a critical role in reducing cancer incidence and death. How Do You Measure Up? provides a blueprint for effective legislation on matters such as tobacco control; access to health care; obesity, nutrition and physical activity; and quality of life. The report shows that the majority of states are falling short in the key areas that were measured. In a year consumed by budget shortfalls and legislative challenges, many state legislatures missed opportunities to enact laws and policies that could not only save money and generate revenue, but also save lives.
New to this year's report is information on creating consumer-friendly state health exchanges. The section outlines six key areas for lawmakers to address when implementing an exchange and provides a preview of how ACS CAN will rate the exchanges in future years. There are also detailed sections on state Medicaid programs, colorectal cancer screening coverage, clinical trials and funding for breast and cervical cancer screening programs. The report was released to media across the country in a joint effort between ACS CAN and Division staff. Many Divisions participated in a radio media tour today that included more than 25 interviews. To view an interactive version of the report, visit www.fightcancer.org and follow the link off of the home page.
As always, thank you for all you do every day to support laws and policies that help cancer patients and their families.
Christopher W. Hansen
President
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)