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Columns photoAmerican Health Benefit Exchanges

View NCSL comment letters on proposed Federal Rules governing multi-state plans, and standards related to the Essential Health Benefits and more. More

Health Reform:  State Actions Newsletter

This newsletter highlights federal health reform actions in the states. View the most recent newsletter and all 55 archive editions. More

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!2011-2013 Health Insurance Reform Enacted State Laws Related to the PPACABill Summaries/ Databases5/1/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=19948199482011 - 2013 Health Insurance Reform Enacted State Laws Related to the Affordable Care Act
!Federal Health Reform NewsArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters3/6/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1774717747News of Health Reform Activity in the Federal Government. Additional information from nongovernmental sources.
!Federal Guidance and Regulatory ActionsReports11/26/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2341323413Information and summaries of federal guidance and regulations affecting state health benefit exchanges.
State Responses to Insurance Reform: News and CommentaryArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters5/20/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2126721267News and commentary describing market and state responses to Health Insurance Reforms.
Small and Large Business Health Insurance: State RolesReports5/10/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1448414484Small businesses now get incentives to offset that they often pay more for employee health benefits because they don't have the buying power of big employers. Large employers will have to offer coverage in most settings as of 2014. This report describes federal and state initiatives to address these groups of businesses and their workers.
Private Health Exchanges and Health ReformReports4/25/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1380513805The Rise of Private Health Exchanges: Implications for Health Consumers, Insurers and Employers.
State Laws & Actions Challenging Certain Health ReformBill Summaries/ Databases4/23/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1890618906State actions and laws challenging elements of health reforms, updated for 2012-2013.
Health Finance Issues, 2013 editionReports4/20/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1450114501This report provides background and multiple resources on the $2.8 trillion world of US health finance.
Massachusetts Health Initiatives: 20 Years of ChangeReports4/15/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1454314543Read about the Massachusetts Health Initiatives: health reform and cost containment across 20 Years of Change
Health Insurance and States: NCSL OverviewReports4/11/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1450914509Overview of state health insurance laws and activities.
HSAs- Health Savings Accounts and the StatesBill Summaries/ Databases4/1/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1446214462Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have spread in the past eight years, with new laws and evolving practices in virtually all 50 states.
Fighting Medicaid Fraud SL MagazineArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters4/1/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2595225952Read this story from State Legislatures Magazine to learn how states are sniffing out Medicaid swindlers and saving money
Health Costs: Recent News and ReportsReports3/22/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2126621266Health Costs: Recent News and Reports, with latest news updated March 2013
Congressional Research Service Reports on Health Care Reform Reports3/21/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2103321033Provides a link to a number of CRS reports related to health care . Updated March 21, 2013.
High Risk Pools for Health Coverage, State and Federal (State Implementation Report)Reports3/1/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1432914329To aid uninsurable individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, 27 states have implemented federal high-risk health insurance pools, while 23 defer to the feds. Federal health reform of 2010 provides $5 billion among all 50 states, a majority are run by states; the others have selected a federally-run option
State Insurance Mandates and the PPACA Essential Benefits ProvisionsReports2/28/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1422714227State Health Insurance Mandates and the PPACA Essential Benefits Provisions
Health Provider and Industry State Taxes and FeesReports2/24/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1435914359This report details state health provider fees, taxes and assessments; also similar fees on insurers, most of which impact Medicaid funding.
2013 Top Issues Webinar Series: The Health Reform Expansion, Taming Costs and MoreMultimedia2/5/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2558425584The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid to people at or below 133 percent of federal poverty guidelines. But the June 2012 Supreme Court ruling effectively made this expansion optional for states. Learn how states are dealing with issues related to the act, and hear about state innovations aimed at improving the value of Medicaid for both the taxpayer and beneficiaries.
Health insurance exchanges Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters2/1/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2575025750Read this story for information on how states are dealing with establishing health exchanges
State Employee Health Benefits, NCSLReports1/31/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1434514345A compendium of facts and resources on the states' employee health benefit plans.
Health Insurance PremiumsReports1/31/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1451414514Examine actual health insurance premiums - national and states, 2004 to 2011 with links to best primary sources.
HIPAA: An Overview of Impacts and Actions by StatesReports1/25/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1436414364The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known as HIPAA, continues to have a broad impact on state health policy, as well as on virtually all health providers, insurers and health consumers. Listed below are brief updates and resources of potential interest to state legislatures.
Purchasing Cooperatives and Alliances for State Health Insurance Bill Summaries/ Databases1/1/2013 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1890518905State Health Insurance Purchasing cooperatives (CO-OPs), also known as alliances and pools. PPACA provisions and start-up loans for 2012.
Health Reform and Abortion Coverage in the Insurance Exchanges (State Implementation Brief)Bill Summaries/ Databases10/25/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2109921099Health Reform and Abortion Coverage in the Insurance Exchanges
Health Insurance Medical Loss Ratios (State Implementation Report)Bill Summaries/ Databases9/20/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2178021780Information about Health Insurance Medical Loss Ratios (MLRs) including existing state laws and new ACA-related provisions
Health Insurance Rate Approval / Disapproval (State Implementation Report)Bill Summaries/ Databases9/12/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1978719787Health Insurance State Rate Approval and Disapproval, including 50-state laws, bills and new federal HHS-approved rate procedures, updated fall 2011.
Out-of-state Health Insurance - Allowing the Purchase (State Implementation Report)Bill Summaries/ Databases8/10/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2001520015Allowing or facilitating the purchase of health insurance out-of-state. 21 states have considered legislation; Rhode Island, Wyoming and Georgia enacted the first laws.
Autism and Insurance Coverage State LawsBill Summaries/ Databases8/10/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1824618246Insurance Coverage for Autism
Autism Legislation DatabaseBill Summaries/ Databases7/30/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1410914109This ARCHIVE database tracks autism-related legislation from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
States Consider Interstate Health Compacts Bill Summaries/ Databases7/26/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=141031410325 States Consider Health Compacts to Challenge Federal PPACA; 7 laws enacted.
The Federal Health PulseArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters6/15/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2472524725Information on Federal actions of concern or interest of states.
Insurance Coverage for Infertility LawsBill Summaries/ Databases3/21/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1439114391A 50-state summary of laws related to insurance coverage for infertility. The webpage also includes an overview of the issue and additional resources.
Health Reform Turns TwoArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2433424334After passage of the Affordable Care Act, the work—and the criticisms—persist.
Mental Health Benefits: State Laws Mandating or Regulating Reports2/28/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1435214352Summary of State Laws Mandating or Regulating Mental Health Benefits
Insurance Coverage for Contraception State LawsBill Summaries/ Databases2/23/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1438414384Provides a 50 state summary of insurance coverage requirements for contraception. Also includes an overview of the issue and additional resources.
Annual Benefit Limits: States Get Waivers Allowing Some Insurance ExemptionsReports2/20/2012 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=22273222734 States Get Waivers Allowing some Insurance Benefit Annual Limits- HHS clarifies status for insurers
Federal Health Legislation 2011Bill Summaries/ Databases12/13/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1473414734NCSL summary of pertinent federal legislation from the U.S. Congress.
Health Disparities LawsBill Summaries/ Databases12/9/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2128721287State laws related to health disparities.
Health Care Discount Plans: State Roles and RegulationBill Summaries/ Databases12/1/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1753917539A state by state examination of regulations aimed at health discount plans which generally are not actually insurance.
State Roles in Health Reform Provisions Related to InsuranceReports10/20/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2331523315State Roles in Health Reform Provisions Related to Insurance
Health Insurance Plan Types and DefinitionsReports9/1/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1994919949Health Plan Types & Definitions - including HMOs, PPOs and other variations
[Summit 11] Here and Now: States Respond to Health Insurance ReformMultimedia8/11/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2341523415Here and Now: States Respond to Health Insurance Reform: 3 experts explain the latest requirements, options and outcomes of reforms already being implemented in 2010-1013 related to the Affordable Care Act
[2011 Legislative Summit] States Opting Out: Health Reform Challenges, Waivers and AlternativesMultimedia8/10/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2358123581States Opting Out: Health Reform Challenges, Waivers and Alternatives
Mandated Health Insurance Benefits and State Laws: OverviewReports7/20/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1446314463For more than two decades, Legislators regularly debate whether mandates ensure adequate protection for their constituents or further simply increase their health care costs. Here are some links that provide background, information and examples of legislation regarding mandated coverage
ERISA: Health Resources for StatesReports7/10/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1446714467ERISA: new and archive health resources for states on preemption and creative solutions.
Diabetes Health Coverage: State Laws and Programs Reports5/14/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1450414504This NCSL report provides an in-depth 50-state look at state laws requiring or mandating insurance coverage for diabetes as well as Medicaid coverage and state-based edication and prevention initiatives.
Cafeteria plans used by states to provide health insuranceReports5/13/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1451514515In the past five years, several states are experimenting with a new use for an old idea, aimed at lowering costs for both employees and their employers. Section 125 cafeteria plans were designed as an optional feature for employers; cafeteria plans allow employees to pay for a variety of health care expenses without paying any federal tax on those charges. The result can be a savings of between 25% and 40% of every dollar the employee contributes to his or her plan.
Managed Care Ombudsman, Report Cards and Profiles, 2011Reports5/2/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1433714337Health Insurance and Managed Care Ombudsman, Report Cards and Profiles, 2011
Individual Health Insurance in the States, 2011Reports4/28/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1814818148States and Individual Health Insurance, 2011
Employer and Individual Tax Incentives to Offer Health InsuranceBill Summaries/ Databases4/15/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1395613956Employer Tax Incentives and Credits to Offer Health Insurance
Immunizations and the Affordable Care ActArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters3/31/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2246922469LegisBrief: Recent outbreaks of whooping cough across the nation serve as a reminder that vaccines still play an important role in preventing diseases. Under the ACA, new health plans must cover preventive services.
Webinar: Oral Health and the Affordable Care Act: State RolesMultimedia3/10/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2235922359Oral Health Webinar
State Legislation and Actions Challenging Certain Health Reforms, 2009-2010Bill Summaries/ Databases3/1/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2237522375State Legislation and Actions Challenging Certain Health Reforms, 2009-2010
Federal Health Care Reform: One Year LaterArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters2/22/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2226022260States have moved ahead despite uncertainty, risks and opposition.
Managed Care and the StatesReports1/6/2011 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1447014470Managed Care, both HMOs and PPOs remains the most widespread kind of health insurance in the U.S. State laws and concern about costs make this a major topic for policymakers.
Webinar: States Implementing Health Reform: Consumer Assistance and Insurance Oversight-Dec 1Multimedia12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2156921569States Implementing Health Reform: Consumer Assistance and Insurance Oversight - a Webinar on December 1, 2010
Webinar: States Implementing Health Reform: 2011 Timeline Multimedia11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2151921519States Implementing Health Reform: 2011 Timeline
2010 State Implementation of Federal Health Reform (State Activity)Bill Summaries/ Databases11/8/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2023120231This page tracks state implementation of the 2010 federal health reform law.
Access to Health Care: Legislative Tracking 2010 Bill Summaries/ Databases11/5/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=19467194672010 Bills related to access to health care.
Health insurance exchanges: Q & A with Jon KingsdaleArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters10/11/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2140621406Jon Kingsdale of Mass.: A Q and A on Health Insurance Exchanges
Facing the Future - Setting up health insurance exchangesArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters10/9/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2142321423Setting up health insurance exchanges is one of the big, early tasks for lawmakers.
State Health Programs To Cover The Uninsured, 2009-10Reports9/27/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1387813878State Health Programs To Cover The Uninsured, 2009-10
Dependent Health Coverage (State Implementation)Bill Summaries/ Databases9/23/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1449714497Covering Young Adults Through Their Parents or Guardians Health Policy. State policymakers are proposing and enacting legislation that extends dependent benefits to young adults not enrolled in college full-time. At least 30 states have now enacted similar legislation to extend dependent coverage regardless of enrollment in school.
Health Reform Implementation: Immediate Health Insurance Reforms Become Effective Reports9/23/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2134221342Six months after health reform legislation became law, health insurance market reforms go into effect September 23, 2010.
[Cost Brief] Pooling Public Employee Health Care- Health Cost ContainmentReports9/2/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1993219932Efforts to combine or merge state with local, county, or education public employees.
[Summit 2010] Health Summit Preconference: Health Insurance ExchangesMultimedia7/25/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2085620856Legislative Summit 2010 Health Summit Preconference: Health Insurance Exchange Session
[Summit 2010] Health Summit Preconference: Health Insurance Exchanges: Part 2Multimedia7/25/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2095920959Legislative Summit 2010 Health Summit Preconference: Health Insurance Exchange Session
Health Insurance Premium Review (Federal Guidance/Grants)Reports6/24/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2065720657Federal guidance and information on the provisions of the ACA, Health Insurance Premium Review.
Exchanges: What Legislators Need to Know (Webinar)Multimedia5/14/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2033220332Health Reform: What Legislators Need to Know about Exchanges
Webinar: High Risk Pools: What Legislators Need to Know Multimedia5/3/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2025120251What Legislators Need to Know about High Risk Pools
Webinar: States Opting Out -States Checking Up on Health Reform Multimedia5/1/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1923319233As the great laboratories of democracy, many states have their own ideas for reform. This session will discuss the issues around state authority to accept, modify, or decline to participate in various components of federal health reforms.
Feds Fight, States Act (SL Magazine)Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2017120171Lawmakers were experimenting with ways to rein in costs and expand coverage long before passage of federal health legislation.
Lawmakers on Federal Health Overhaul (SL Magazine)Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters4/14/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2016720167Legislative leaders talk about the challenges of health care.
State Examples: Pre-Federal Law State Health Reform (State Activity)Reports4/1/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1769117691Archive: This page highlights state activity in areas that were debated as part of federal health reform.
Spotlight: Federal Health Reform Signed March 23Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters3/23/2010 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=2003120031a Spotlight on the passage of a federal health reform bill.
[SL Mag] Mandating Health Insurance Benefits for CancerArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1938219382Mandated health insurance benefits and treatments have varied since the 1960s, and now the focus is on improved testing and treatment for particular diseases.
Archive: Comprehensive Health Reform: State Examples Reports11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1449614496Comprehensive Health Reform: State Examples--MA,HI,VT,ME
Archive: State Programs to Subsidize or Reduce the Cost of Health Insurance for Small BusinessesReports9/1/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1452614526State Programs to Subsidize or Reduce the Cost of Health Insurance for Small Businesses
Children's Health Reform State LawsBill Summaries/ Databases8/31/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1447714477A snapshot of state laws related to childrens health reform. Also includes information on the federal poverty guidelines, recent NCSL publications and additional resources.
SL Mag: Improving the OddsArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1835718357Dozens of states aim to help minorities and low-income residents receive better medical care and live healthier lives.
State COBRA Expansions for Small BusinessesBill Summaries/ Databases7/1/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1679516795Expansion of COBRA coverage for small businesses.
Managed Care State LawsBill Summaries/ Databases6/1/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1432014320Managed Care State Laws and Regulations, Including Consumer and Provider Protections
Covering Kids: June 2009Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters5/20/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1746517465States are working to provide public health insurance to the growing number of eligible children.
Online Extra: Illinois All Kids ProgramArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters5/20/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1747017470Illinois' insurance program for children.
Statestats: The American Uninsured CrisisArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters4/29/2009 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1714217142May 2009 State Legislatures article regarding the issue of rising health costs.
Archive: Federal Mental Health Parity 2008Bill Summaries/ Databases10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1406414064Archive: Federal Mental Health Parity 2008
Final Maternity Length of Stay Rules PublishedArticles/Briefs/ Newsletters10/22/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1470614706Summary of final rules governing the length-of-stay requirements for a vaginal or cesarean delivery of beneficiaries covered in a group or individual health plan
[LegisBrief] Can Cafeteria Plans Expand Health Insurance Coverage?: Oct. 2008Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters10/20/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1389013890Health premium cafeteria plans—which allow employees to pay for health care benefits without paying federal tax on them—can boost access to insurance.
State Health Plans Challenged by ERISAReports8/31/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1448514485Laws in Maryland, San Francisco and Suffolk County, NY test the role of the federal ERISA law in limiting state actions
Medically Necessary Foods and Formula LawsBill Summaries/ Databases7/1/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1386513865Provides a 50 state breakdown of state laws requiring insurance coverage of medically necessary foods and formulas. Also includes an overview of the issue and additional resources.
Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance LawsBill Summaries/ Databases6/25/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1437414374Provides a 50 state chart of genetics and health insurance state anti-discrimination laws.
LegisBrief: Health Insurance Coverage for Young Adults - JuneJuly 2008Articles/Briefs/ Newsletters6/10/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1389413894
Genetics Legislation DatabaseBill Summaries/ Databases6/1/2008 12:00:00 AM/default.aspx?tabid=1440814408A database of legislation related to genetics.
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