Empowering patient voices through voter registration
While roughly 83% of adults in the United States will visit a health care provider in the next year, an estimated
News
6-1-12 Affordable Care Act Update
June 6, 2012
State Update
Attached you will find a summary ACS CAN circulated to Division staff this week regarding recent HHS guidance on federally facilitated exchanges (FFE). The document is for information purposes only because we do not have enough information at this time to pursue specific advocacy activities in states likely to have an FFE. However, it is important to understand that even in states that have an FFE, there are still related state functions that will be affected, and states can enter into a "state-federal partnership" in which they can assume certain exchange functions.
Summary of HHS Guidance on Federally Facilitated Exchanges (FFE).docx
Litigation Update
The Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is expected to be announced before the court recesses for the summer at the end of June. At this time it is unclear what day the court will announce the decision, but whenever it occurs, ACS CAN plans to host a conference call that afternoon to discuss the ruling and provide information and talking points on ACS CAN's response to the decision. Please make a note to look for an e-mail from Chris Hansen containing the call in information shortly after the decision is announced.
Media and Polling
Key officials in states furthest along in setting up health care exchanges have mixed responses regarding what they would do if the Supreme Court overturns all or part of the ACA, according to a recent Washington Post story. Maryland's Secretary of Health Joshua Sharfstein said that even if the individual mandate is the only piece to be overturned it could jeopardize the success of exchanges. California Assembly member Bill Monning stated that establishing a state-based individual mandate is one of several options he would consider. Meanwhile, Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts isn't positive that her state would need to take action if the court throws out the law because of existing state protections. The article also explores state concerns about whether they would have to return federal subsidies awarded to establish exchanges if the law is overturned.
As always, thank you for all you do every day to support laws and policies that help cancer patients and their families.
Chris Hansen | President
ACS Cancer Action Network | American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.