Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: State Action Newsletter 

Inside this Issue: 

• New Mexico Legislature and Governor Sign Off on State Exchange
• Arkansas Legislature Approves Medicaid Alternative Bill
• Another Medicaid Expansion Alternative Emerges in Florida
• Vermonters See Exchange Prices
• Minnesota’s Health Care Innovation Plan
• HHS Announces Navigator Grants
• Essential Community Providers in the Exchange

• Ohio Considers Market-Based Medicaid Expansion; HHS Issues Guidance
• Action on Indiana’s Medicaid Expansion Proposal
• Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Delayed Until 2015
• Studies Project Some Premiums Will Go Up, Some Down
• LegisBrief Highlights Oral Health Workforce
• NCSL’s Task Force Meets May 4
• HHS Issues Rule for Newly Eligibles

• Minnesota  Enacts Health Insurance Exchange Law
• Medicaid Expansion Stalls in Legislatures Despite Governors’ Support
• Colorado Sets Exchange Fees   
• Without Medicaid Expansion, Employers Face Decisions and Penalties
• Oregon’s Health Care Innovation Plan
• NCSL Health Reform Task Force Meets May 4

• Arkansas Considers Innovative Approach to Medicaid Expansion
• “Integrated Care with Financial Incentives” Could Save California Billions
• Navigating the Health Insurance Exchanges
• Rule Released for the Insurance Market
• Four States Receive Partnership Exchange Approval
• CMS Sends Letter to Insurance Companies on Federal and Partnership Exchange
• Webinar: States Help Veterans Access Health Benefits and Save Money, Too

• States Prepare for System Innovations
• HHS Delays Basic Health Program
• Upcoming Webinars: March 6 and March 8
• A State, Federal or Partner Exchange? That is No Longer the Question
• Tennessee and Hawaii Opt-Out of Program for Dually-Eligible People
• "Sunshine Rule" Brings Disclosure by Drug Manufacturers

• State Legislatures Debate Medicaid Expansion
• NCSL’s Federal Health Reform: State Legislative Tracking Database
• Individual Mandate Requirements Spelled Out
• Federal Agencies Answer More PPACA Questions
• NCSL Health Reform/Medicaid Webinars Archive Now Available
• Oral health and prevention
• NCSL’s Scope of Practice Legislative Tracking Database
• New Privacy Rules Apply to PPACA

• Guidance from Feds on New Method for Determining Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility
• Larger Employers Mandated to Offer Health Coverage
• Save the Date: Upcoming Webinars
• States Get Health Exchange Green Light and Partnership Guidance from HHS

•     Feds to States: No Option for Partial Medicaid Expansion and More
•     HHS Approves Exchanges in Six States; New Jersey Gov. Christie Vetoes State-Exchange Bill  
•     PPACA Taxes Effective in January
•     New Report Offers To-Do List for States Hoping to Partner on Exchanges
•     Medicare “donut hole” discounts go up in 2013

• HHS Releases Proposed Rules for PPACA Implementation
• HHS Extends Deadline for States to Decide on State Exchanges
• New Report: State-by-State Cost Calculations for Medicaid Expansion
• NCSL Webinar on Fiscal Implications of the Medicaid Expansion
• Experts Speak on Health Reform at Fall Forum

• Breaking News: Exchange Deadline Extended
• Election Wrap-Up
• Voters in 5 States say Yes or No on PPACA Roles
• Alabama Conducts Wholesale Review of Medicaid, Expects to Make New Policy
• Medicaid Pay Raise for Primary Care Docs
• Update on Maine's Deadlock with Feds Over Medicaid Cuts
• Washington Reveals Branding for Health Insurance Exchange
• State Medicaid Integration Tracker Resource Now Available

• California Eliminates Children’s Health Program
• New Jersey Health Insurance Exchange Update
• Maine Sues Feds to Drop Medicaid Beneficiaries
• High “Cadillac Tax” Burden in Bay State
• Report Assesses Selling Insurance Across State Lines
• New Medicaid Budget Report
• Brief Says Pay-for-Performance a Mixed Bag
• NCSL Launches New Health Reform Web Resource

• 24 States Select or Recommend an Essential Health Benefit Package
• Arkansas Rolls Out New Payment System
• Tools for Calculating the Medicaid Expansion’s Fiscal Impact
• Simulation Study Predicts Quality Improvement with Medicare ACOs, Less Cost Control
• Will Legal Challenges Continue for Health Reform Law?
• States Use the Ballot to Challenge PPACA
• The Medical Home Model of Care: Reducing Costs and Improving Quality

• Legislators Get Health Reform Briefings
• Premium Rate Reviews Save Consumers $1B
• Oklahoma Suit Addresses Insurance Exchange Tax Credits
• CBO Updates Penalty Tax Estimates
• New Analysis on Health Care Cost Drivers Available

Newsletter 41. September 14, 2012

• States Grapple with Approaching Essential Health Benefit Deadline
• Co-Op Insurance Plans Underway in 20 States
• CMS Awards Demonstrations to States for Dual-Eligibles
• Update on Massachusetts Cost Control Efforts

• Medicaid Expansion: State News
• HHS Awards Another Round of Exchange Grants
• State Budgets More Stable, Still Face Challenges
• What’s in a Name? Maryland Brands its Exchange
• Primary Care Practices Chosen for Historic Public-Private Partnership

Newsletter 39. August 17, 2012

• Medicaid Expansion ‘Voluntary’
• Analysis Concludes Proposed California Basic Health Program Would Increase Coverage
• CDC Obesity Data: Colorado Thinnest, Mississippi Most Obese
• Health Reform Act Increases Insurance Coverage for Young Adults says New Report
• Medicaid a Major Topic at the NCSL Legislative Summit
• Health Care Law after the Court Decision: What is Next?
• Colorado CO-OP  Receives $69 Million Loan From Health and Human Services

Newsletter 38. July 27, 2012

• Health Experts Speaking at NCSL Legislative Summit
• After Supreme Court Ruling, States Say ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ to State Health Insurance Exchanges
• CBO Releases Updated Estimates of Coverage Provisions in PPACA
• Steps toward Essential Health Benefits
• State Officials Seek Clarification on Supreme Court Ruling 
• HHS Announces New Initiative for States

Newsletter 37. July 13, 2012

• Secretary Sebelius Sends Letter to States
• Ballot Language Showdown in the Show-Me-State
• Upcoming Webinar—Social Determinants of Health: Reforming the Health System to Work Smarter, Not Harder, to Eliminate Health Disparities
• A Safety-Net Concern
• Health Insurance Rebates to Arrive by August 1 (50 State Table Included)

Newsletter 36. June 29, 2012

• Informational Conference Call Today for Members
• Supreme Court Rules on the PPACA
• Grants for Community Health Centers Awarded to 41 States
• New Hampshire Will Not Create a State Exchange

Newsletter 35. June 15, 2012

• Supreme Court Ruling—Informational Conference Call for Members
• Upcoming NCSL Meetings
• California Selects Vendor to Build IT System for Exchange
• Kentucky Governor Considers Exchange Options
• Some Insurers Plan to Keep Selected PPACA Provisions
• Study Shows Cost Savings in Treating Seniors at Home

Newsletter 34. June 1, 2012

• Vermont Outlines Details for its Exchange in Law
• Massachusetts Tries Reform with Cost Controls
• Study Looks at PPACA’s Potential Effect on the California Economy
• Workplace Wellness Programs
• Colorado’s Medicaid Expansion – Slower than Expected
• New Mexico Executive Branch Selects Vendor to Build Exchange
• HHS Announces New Funds for States

Newsletter 33. May 18, 2012

• A Boost in Pay for Medicaid Primary Care Physicians
• HHS Announces New Guidance and Awards Additional Grants to States
• Report Explores the Needs of Medicaid’s Soon-to-be-Eligible Population  
• State Health Insurance Exchange Update 

Newsletter 32. May 4, 2012

• HHS Announces $728 million in PPACA grants to Community Health Centers
• $1.3 Billion in Medical Loss Ratio Rebates
• Covering Children in Nontraditional Families
• Louisiana makes first “meaningful use” incentive payment
• Costs of Massachusetts Reform Law
• New Hampshire Reviews Premiums
• Legislatures Restrict Executive Branch Action

Newsletter 31. April 19, 2012

• Executive Order Creates Exchange in New York
• Dental Insurance Coverage for Kids Increases
• Six States Approve Health Compacts
• States Receive Grants to Support Children and Families
• Massachusetts’ Legal Immigrants Gain Health Insurance Coverage
• ICD-10 Conversion Deadline Pushed Back
• Medicaid Cost Containment Webinar Tomorrow, April 20, at 2 p.m. ET

Newsletter 30. April 5, 2012

• Containing Medicaid Costs:  Moving Toward Managed Care—Webinar—April 20, Friday at 2 p.m. ET
• Study Looks at ER Use Under PPACA
• States Consider Funding Options for Exchanges
• New Federal Loans for Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans
• South Carolina Addresses Medicaid Efficiency
• Six Hours at the Supreme Court
• States Tackle Essential Health Benefits

Newsletter 29. March 23, 2012

• States Are Considering Basic Health Programs
• Webinar—The Affordable Care Act and Community Health Centers—April 5, Thursday, 3p.m. ET
• The Texas Approach to Fighting Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
• PREP Grants Available Soon
• Exchange Update: New Jersey passes bill; HHS releases final rule
• Maryland Expands High-Risk Efforts

Newsletter 28. March 9, 2012

 HTML Version

• Connecticut Considers an All-Payer Claims Database
• Health Benefit Exchange Update
• Supreme Court to Hear Challenge and Defense Arguments March 26-28
• Prevention and Public Health Fund Update
• Lifetime Limits on Insurance: An Update
• Containing Medicaid Costs Webinar—March 19, 2012

Newsletter 27. February 23, 2012

HTML Version

• Coverage Expansions Under the ACA
• Final Two States Receive MLR Notification
• States Receive Additional Funding for Exchanges
• Preventive Services Expanded Under Private Health Plans
• State Contraceptive Coverage

Newsletter 26. February 9, 2012

HTML Version

• 2012 Exchange Update
• Medicaid Fast Facts
• California Addresses Essential Health Benefits
• 2012 Health Insurance Reform: State Update
• ACA and Small Businesses
• Hot Topics Webinar Series—Health Webinar, Feb. 10, 2012 
• 2012 State Legislative Tracking Database Now Available

Newsletter 25. January 27, 2012

PDF Version

HTML Version

• New Report on State Progress Establishing Exchanges
• Wisconsin Returns Federal Funds
• Rate Review Deems Insurance Premium Increases Unreasonable
• Massachusetts Health Reform: Results
• Legislators’ Top Health Reform Priorities
• Colorado House Seeks U.S. Convention to Repeal ACA
• Oregon Releases Exchange Plan
• State Medicaid Survey

Newsletter 24. January 13, 2012

PDF Version

HTML Version

• 2012 State Legislative Tracking Database
• High Risk Pools: State Growth and Spending
• New Reports and Research Released
• Kansas and Oklahoma Denied “Medical Loss Ratio” Waivers

Newsletter 23. December 16, 2011

PDF Version

HTML Version

• Breaking News: HHS Announces Guidance to States on Essential Health Benefits
• Study Looks at Colorado Post ACA Workforce
• New Reports Detail Health of States 
• Update on NCSL’s Health Reform Task Force
• States Receive Additional Funding for Exchanges
• State Contracts for Dual Eligibles
• Three States Denied MLR Waivers

Newsletter 22. November 18, 2011

PDF Version

• Minnesota Convenes Exchange Advisory Task Force
• How Does the ACA Affect Rural America?
• Georgia Medical Loss Ratio
• Medicaid Directors Publish New Report
• Update on States Challenging Federal Health Reform

Newsletter 21. November 4, 2011

PDF Version

• States Feel the Medicaid Pinch
• NCSL Health Reform Task Force Meets Nov. 30
• Missouri Authorizes Health Homes
• Oklahoma "Joint Legislative Committee on the Federal Health Care Law" Continue Meeting

Newsletter 20. October 21, 2011

PDF Version

• State Actions on Health Insurance Exchanges
• States Create HIT Incentives
• Massachusetts Considers “Global Payments” to Reduce Costs
• Building Small Business Health Insurance Options

Newsletter 19. October 7, 2011

PDF Version

• Breaking News –IOM Releases Guidance on Essential Health Benefits
• Vermont Implements State Reform
• Home Visiting Grants Awarded
• Challenges to ACA Move Closer to U.S. Supreme Court
• ACA Funds Support Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project

Newsletter 18. September 23, 2011

PDF Version

• Exchange Boards at Work
• HHS Awards $109 Million in Rate Review Grants
• HHS Provides Additional Guidance on Exchange State-Federal Partnerships
• ACA Grants for Organizations to Become Community Health Centers
• Delaware Medical Loss Ratio Request Denied
• Medicare Enrollees Save $461 million on Prescription Drugs 

Newsletter 17. September 9, 2011

PDF Version

• 44 States Reviewing Health Insurance Rates; Small Business and Individuals Included This Fall
• Breaking News
• SC Governor Not Applying for Exchange Funds
• State Variations on Medicaid Spending
• Colorado to Scale Back Medicaid Eligibility Expansion
• Grants to Strengthen Public Health Programs, Infrastructure and Workforce
• Republican Governors Propose Changes to Medicaid
• Summary of Enacted Exchanges (2010-2011) 

Newsletter 16. August 26, 2011

PDF Version

• Legislators and Staff Talk Health Reform in San Antonio
• State Efforts to Enroll Eligible Children in Medicaid and CHIP
• Kansas Returns $31 Million Early Innovator Grant
• Federal Funding for States to Continue Building Exchanges
• Appeals Court in Georgia Rejects Individual Mandate
• Study Details 15 State Plans for Dual Eligibles

PDF Version

• School Based Health Centers Receive Support from ACA Grants
• Colorado Study Shows Benefit of Community Health Centers for Medicaid Patients
• IOM Releases Recommendations for Preventive Services for Women
• North Dakota Denied Request for Medical Loss Ratio Variation
• Governors Move Forward with Implementation, Despite Opposition
• Ohio Ballot Measure Update
• NCSL’s 2011 Annual Legislative Summit in San Antonio

PDF Version

• 2012 Ballot Measures: Let Voters Decide?
• State Variations on Medicaid Spending
• Washington State Legislature Unanimously Passes Medicaid Waiver Bill
• New Study Shows Effects of Medicaid Enrollment
• Conflict Between City and State Over ACA Grants in Wisconsin
• As Proposed ACO Regulations Draw Provider Ire, CMS Releases Pioneer ACO Model

PDF Version

• New Tool Shows State Progress and Problems
• Mississippi Uses Existing Entity to Establish Health Insurance Exchange
• Massachusetts’ “Second Phase of Health Reform”
• CMS Postpones Regulations as States Move on “Health Homes”
• Circuit Court Upholds Affordable Care Act
• Register for NCSL’s 2011 Legislative Summit in San Antonio

PDF Version

• Twenty-Six State AGs Seek Appeals Court Ruling
• Insurance Rate Reviews
• Republican Governors Outline Medicaid Reform Principles
• Texas House Passes Medicaid Waiver Bill
• Connecticut Moves Forward with Long-Term Care Funding Options
• Private Foundations Ease Cost of Implementation

Newsletter 11. June  3, 2011

PDF Version

• Vermont’s Single Payer Becomes Law
•  Lower Premiums and Simpler Rules for High Risk Insurance 
• Maryland Governor Appoints Exchange Board 
• Some States Pursue Health Compact 
• Three States Receive Exchange Establishment Grants 
• States Preparing for 2014 Medicaid Expansion

Newsletter 10. May 20, 2011

PDF Version

• North Dakota and Virginia Intend to Establish Health Insurance Exchanges
• States to Address “Dual Eligibles”
• North Carolina Addresses Safety Net in Health Reform Workgroup
• New York Releases Report on Coordinating Medicaid and Exchanges
• New Jersey Governor Looks at Cutting Medicaid to Contain Costs 

Newsletter 9. May 6, 2011

PDF Version

• Vermont Moves Closer to Universal Health Care
• Increasing Managed Care in Medicaid: A Complex Discussion
• Five State Legislatures Pass Exchange Bills – Waiting for Action from the Governor
• Partnership Aims to Curtail Health Care-Acquired Conditions
• Federal Government Awards “Money Follows the Person” Grants

Newsletter 8. April 22, 2011

PDF Version

• States Establish Health Insurance Exchanges
• Oklahoma Returns Federal Grant
• States Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
• Selling Health Insurance Across State Lines
• Arizona Governor Releases Revised Medicaid Waiver Proposal
• Database Tracks Workforce Legislation in the States

Newsletter 7. April 8, 2011

 PDF Version

• Universal and Unified Health System in Vermont
• NCSL “States Implement Health Reform” Briefs
• Minnesota’s Managed Care Contracts
• Legislative Update: 2011 Enacted Bills
• More States Request Medical Loss Ratio Waivers
• GAO Releases New Report
• Child-Only Policies Become a “Thing of the Past” in Some States

Newsletter 6. March 25, 2011

 PDF Version

• State Policymakers want More Medicaid Flexibility
• State Legislatures Respond to Health Reform Requirements
• Kansas Requests MOE Waiver
• State Legislation Challenges ACA
• Indiana Establishes their Exchange through E.O.
• Maryland's Small Business Tax Credit Advertising Campaign
• Louisiana Secretary Announces Decision to Opt-Out of State Insurance Exchange

PDF Version

 HTML Version

• States Continue with Legislative Action to Establish Exchanges
• Maine Receives Waiver for Medical Loss Ratio Requirement
• Upcoming Webinar on Oral Health
• Electronic Health Information Exchange Development
• New Report Estimates the Effect of the ACA on States
• Alaska to Implement ACA

Newsletter 4. March 3, 2011

 HTML Version

• $100 Million in Medicaid Grants to States to Prevent Disease
• Support Growing for State Innovation Waivers
• States Awarded Federal Grants Through the ACA
• State Health Insurance Mandates and the ACA
• CMS Releases MOE Provisions to States
• Student Health Plans
• To Comply with Consumer Protection in Affordable Care Act
• Pennsylvania Cuts Insurance Program Due to Budget Woes

Newsletter 3. February 25, 2011 

 HTML Version

• Feds Approve Minnesota’s “Early Expansion” of Medicaid
• States Return Federal Grants After Florida Judge Ruling
• “Early Innovator” States Chosen
• CMS Releases Proposed Rules for Health Care-Acquired Conditions
• HHS Responds to Request for Flexibility from the States
• Some State Get Waivers Allowing Insurance Benefit Limits

Newsletter 2. February 17, 2011

 HTML Version

• President Obama Reveals FY2012 Budget
• State Entities Working on Implementation of the ACA
• Final Home Visiting Funding Opportunity Announcement
• Initiative to Curb Health Care Acquired Conditions
• Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Intend to Improve Quality and Savings
• HHS Announces Public Health Funding
• Feds Give Arizona Some Relief for Medicaid Enrollment

Newsletter 1. February 9, 2011

PDF Version

 HTML Version

• Court Rulings Differ on the Affordable Care Act
• Arizona Requests Medicaid Waiver
• Bills to Create Exchanges Filed in at Least 21 States
• Model Legislation for Creating Health Insurance Exchanges
• NCSL Launches Health Reform Task Force
• Governors Want Flexibility for Health Insurance Exchanges