Top 12 Webinars

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Health Reform and Medicaid -- the States' 800-Pound Gorilla

February 10, 2012

This webinar explored the many elements of federal health reform states are required to develop, including health insurance exchanges, health information technology and a list of essential benefits. Learn what’s happening in opposition to the law as well. Click here for the presentation PDF file.

Purchase Recording of Event for $49 

This spring, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as federal health reform law. With a ruling not expected until the summer, elements of health reform—establishing health insurance and health information exchanges, along with essential benefits—will remain dominant issues for legislative sessions.

Medicaid: Challenges and Opportunities in 2012 and Beyond  

Recent studies have confirmed what many policymakers already know:  The tough economy is making it difficult to balance or even plan for state Medicaid budgets.

• In 2011, nearly every state took steps to contain Medicaid costs. Lawmakers not only cut to meet budget demands, but also explored innovative ways to improve the efficiency of Medicaid to prepare for its expansion required by the ACA in 2014. 
• To improve quality, states are giving incentives for results and experimenting with new payment models for providers. They are also reforming patient care by creating medical homes and streamlining services for those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

NCSL’s Medicaid webpage

Health Reform: Benefits, Exchanges, Implementation and Opposition  

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments for and against the federal health reform law in late March, but the ruling is not expected until at least June. Several elements of health reform, however, will remain on 2012 legislative to-do lists. These include:

• Health Insurance Exchanges: Developing an exchange – a website for people to compare and purchase health insurance policies – will be a priority for the 14 states committed to conducting their own. States must meet the Jan. 1, 2013, deadline to be eligible to receive federal money.
• Improved Health Information Technology and Exchanges:  States must develop systems that contain electronic health records to allow easy access to patients’ health histories and avoid costly and dangerous errors and duplication of services. By the middle of the year, every state will need to have a Medicaid electronic health record incentive in place and be working on an exchange, required by late 2014 or early 2015.
• Essential Benefits Package: More than 1,500 state laws now require coverage for a variety of different health services. By 2014, states must decide which of several existing plans become their minimum or "essential" benefits. Lawmakers may be asked to reconcile differences (fewer services vs. reduced premiums) among comprehensive coverage packages. Discussions of what is fair, what is affordable and what is medically necessary will keep this issue high on the 2012 agenda.

• States Challenging and Opposing Health Reforms:  So far 19 legislatures have passed binding measures opposing state involvement in any required individual or employer mandates. 28 states have a role in backing challenge lawsuits, which will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Hear what's new and what's next.

NCSL has created a Federal Health Reform Implementation Task Force to help states understand the provisions of the law and identify areas where state legislative action is required. NCSL’s Health Reform website is available to members on NCSL’s website.