Policy Update
CMS Releases Final Rule on 2015 Changes in the Marketplaces
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized the rule for 2015 changes in the health insurance marketplaces. The final rule, released May 16, includes provisions related to navigators, Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) exchanges, premium stabilization programs and health plan quality measures. ACS CAN previously registered its support for provisions of the proposed rule that pre-empt state laws preventing navigators from doing their jobs. We are pleased to report that these provisions were finalized by CMS. The final rule also requires health plans to put into place a process to allow patients in an emergency situation to access to non-formulary prescription drugs within 24 hours.
Federal Update
Legislation Would Remove Cost Barriers to Colon Cancer Screenings for Seniors
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) last week introduced the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, (S. 2348), a bill that would eliminate cost sharing for Medicare beneficiaries receiving a routine screening colonoscopy, even if a polyp is removed. The bill is similar to legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) earlier this year. Cost is a known barrier to accessing preventive care. The ACA requires most health insurance plans to cover prevention services such as routine screening colonoscopies at low or no cost to the patient. Last year, the administration clarified that people with private insurance should not have to pay when a polyp is removed during a screening colonoscopy. ACS CAN is urging Congress to act so seniors won’t face barriers to lifesaving cancer screenings. The ACS CAN press release can be viewed here.
Senate Finance Committee Approves HHS Nominee
Sylvia Matthews Burwell, President Obama's nominee to replace Kathleen Sebelius as head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) and the Senate Finance Committee for confirmation hearings this month. The Senate Finance Committee approved her nomination yesterday in a strong bipartisan vote. Her nomination is expected to be voted on by the full Senate soon after the Memorial Day holiday.
State Update
Indiana Governor Proposes Plan to Broaden Health Coverage for Low-Income Residents
Indiana Governor Mike Pence announced May 15 a proposal to extend health care coverage to 325,000 low-income Hoosiers with federal dollars made available through the ACA. The governor’s plan, Healthy Indiana 2.0, is a private alternative to broadening coverage through Medicaid and requires approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan would use a market-based, consumer-driven approach similar to those taken by other states including Arkansas, Iowa, and Michigan. ACS CAN is actively encouraging Governor Pence and state legislators to accept the federal funds to provide health insurance coverage to Indiana’s most vulnerable residents.
California Bill Would Improve Drug Formulary Transparency
California’s state-run marketplace, Covered California, lacks formulary transparency for medication coverage and costs, reports KPCC, a Los Angeles-based affiliate of National Public Radio. Insufficient information makes it impossible for consumers to make fully-informed decisions when deciding which plan to purchase. State Senator Norma Torres has proposed to fix the problem with legislation requiring the websites of all California marketplace health plans to include a search window allowing consumers to more easily determine the coverage and costs of specific medications. Quoted in the KPCC report is ACS CAN California Legislative Director Alison Ramey, who explains that consumers seeking specific drug information too often find themselves waiting on hold indefinitely or referred back to the insurer’s website.
Media Advocacy
Study: Political TV ads on health law total $445M
A new report finds that advertising around the nation’s health care overhaul may have a place in advertising history. The report, released May 16 by Kantar Media CMAG, estimates $445 million has been spent on political TV ads mentioning the law since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Spending on negative ads has outpaced positive promotions by more than 15 to 1. However, during open enrollment nearly as much money was spent on ads encouraging people to enroll in coverage as was spent over the past four years on ads in opposition to the ACA.
As always, thank you for all you do every day to support laws and policies that help cancer patients and their families. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Carter Steger, Senior Director, State and Local Campaigns, at [email protected], (202) 661-5727, or Keysha Brooks-Coley, Director, Federal Relations, at [email protected], (202) 661-5720.