HealthCheck, August 2017

Academy Activities

The Health Practice Council (HPC) released a policy paper on cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) that emphasized making funding for CSRs permanent and automatic in order to avoid premium increases and market instability.

The HPC sent a letter to Senate leadership on the potential adverse consequences of repealing the individual mandate, which would lead to lower enrollment, a deterioration of the risk pool, and higher premiums.

The Medicare Subcommittee published an issue brief on the 2017 Medicare Trustees Report released in July and the program’s long-term financial health.

The Health Solvency Subcommittee and the P/C RBC Committee submitted a joint comment letter to the NAIC’s Investment Risk-Based Capital Working Group about proposed changes to corporate bond factors.

The HPC released a policy paper in July highlighting several frequently asked questions (FAQs) on risk pooling and explaining how it works in the individual health insurance market. The FAQs also explore the differences between a single risk pool and separate risk pools.

Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum to Feature Health
Breakout Sessions

The Academy’s Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum, to be held Nov. 14–15 in Washington, will shed a light on today’s top issues, including up-to-date information on the status of health care legislation and regulations and potential implications for our work. See the health breakout session information on the Annual Meeting page. The Academy believes in good faith that you may earn 1.8 continuing education (CE) credits for each breakout session; professional CE will also be available. Stay on top of health care developments—register today.

Legislative/Judicial/Regulatory Updates

After passing a motion to proceed on debating a budget reconciliation bill on July 25, the Senate failed to pass multiple pieces of health care legislation that would have, in part, partially repealed the ACA, with some offering a replacement. All votes failed to attract the required simple majority.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Aug. 2 to allow 17 states and the District of Columbia to defend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) reimbursements to insurers for cost-sharing reductions in House v. Price.

A Senate bill introduced Aug. 3 by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) would allow near-retirees (ages 55 to 64) to buy into Medicare.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved a five-year extension of Florida’s Medicaid Managed Care Demonstration Waiver.

LHQ Seminar Offers CE Credit

The Academy’s popular 2017 Life and Health Qualifications Seminar, to be held Nov. 12–16 in Arlington, Va., will provide attendees with the chance to earn up to 27 hours of continuing education (CE) credit, including up to 2.7 professionalism hours. Attendees will benefit from three days of training and instruction and have the opportunity to take the Specific Qualification Standard exam on the final day. Early registration ends on Sept. 15; register now for the lowest rates.

In the News / Media Activities

• In remarks made on the floor of the U.S. Senate and televised live on C-SPAN (at the 57-minute mark), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) cited the HPC’s July 25 letter to Senate leadership on the potential adverse consequences of legislation to eliminate the ACA’s individual mandate. More than 60 media outlets reported on the letter, including the Washington Post, CNN Money, MSN, Modern Healthcare, Fierce Healthcare, and Vox.

• In remarks made on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and televised live on C-SPAN, Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) cited the Academy’s analysis that 2017 health premium increases in a number of states are not necessarily indicative of an ACA premium spiral.

• A New York Times opinion piece cited the HPC’s policy paper highlighting FAQs on risk pooling and explaining how it works in the individual market. The paper was also cited by PolitiFact, Fierce Healthcare, the Brookings Institution, The Denver Post, The Week, Axios, and the Washington Examiner, as well as a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities press release.

• In a Huffington Post story, Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello discussed how eliminating the individual mandate would lead to lower enrollment, a deterioration of the risk pool, and higher premiums. The article was reprinted by Yahoo News.

• Uccello discussed the continued uncertainty of future CSR reimbursements in a HealthDay story about health care reform. The story was reprinted by WebMD, Health.com, Philly.com, Drugs.com, HealingWell.com, Doctors Lounge, and Health On the Net Foundation.

• HealthPayerIntelligence quoted Shari Westerfield, vice president, health, in a story on CSR reimbursements.

• A Politico newsletter cited Uccello’s comments from an Academy news release urging the Senate to permanently fund cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers and increase external funding to help defray the cost of premiums.

• Several media outlets reported on the Academy’s June 30 comment letter to Senate leaders on health care legislation, including the Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, Chicago Tribune, MSN, Consumer Affairs, and the Morning Call.

• A Washington Post column cited the Individual and Small Group Markets Committee’s issue brief, Drivers of 2018 Health Insurance Premium Changes. The column was reprinted by The Salt Lake Tribune and NJ.com.

• A McClatchy DC story cited comments from the HPC’s December letter to the U.S. House of Representatives cautioning against repealing the ACA without replacement.

• A CBS News story discussing concerns about the funding level of Social Security and Medicare cited the Academy’s actuarial perspective on possible solutions.

• The Washington Examiner cited the Academy’s issue brief on drivers of 2017 premium changes. The issue brief was also cited by News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.).

• Articles published by Factcheck.org and the Tucson Sentinel cited an Academy issue brief on selling insurance across state lines.