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  • Florida Ruling on ACA Generates Some Surprise and a lot of Confusion

    Guest

    By Jane Perkins, National Health Law Project This past Monday, Florida district judge Roger Vinson issued his decision in one of the most closely watched cases challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  At least 24 such cases have been filed in federal district courts around the country.  The Florida case is different…

  • A Closer Look at the Florida Ruling

    Guest

    (This blog originally appeared on the Health Policy Hub) By Eva Marie Stahl, Community Catalyst Vinson toasts anti-ACA supporters with tea Alas, the Judge Roger Vinson (Florida v. HHS) ruling is here. The Florida-led case remains the media darling of the handful of cases challenging health reform that are rolling through the Federal courts in…

  • Legal Challenges to ACA – Long Road Ahead

    Cathy Hope

    As you’ve probably seen in the news media, there will be a long road ahead in getting a final answer to the legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act.  The Obama administration will appeal the ruling (and possibly also request a stay of the ruling) by a Florida judge.  U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in Pensacola…

  • CHIPRA Led Way to More Stable and Accessible Coverage in Ohio

    Guest

    (Editor’s Note: CHIPRA celebrates its second anniversary this week and Say Ahhh! is featuring guest blogs about how the law has impacted children and families in their states.  Mary Wachtel of Voices for Ohio’s Children is today’s featured blogger.  Ohio was also featured in CCF’s 50-state survey of Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and enrollment released…

  • With the Right Mix, Children’s Coverage Doesn’t Have to Take a Back Seat

    Guest

    By Julie Silas (Children’s Defense Fund-California) and Mike Odeh (Children Now), with the 100% Campaign While health insurers are pulling child-only plans out of the individual insurance market in a majority of states, California stands as a model in realizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and envisioning a reformed coverage system where the injustice against children is finally…

  • CHIPRA Provides More Funds to Help States Pay for Language Services

    Guest

    By Mara Youdelman, National Health Law Program As immigrant communities expand across the United States, many healthcare providers and patients have encountered communication barriers making it difficult for patients to receive proper care.  Yet proper communication is as important to healthcare as a stethoscope.  You can’t listen to someone’s heart without a stethoscope.  How can…

  • Groups Support Rule to Upgrade Medicaid Enrollment Systems

    CCFadmin

    By Jocelyn Guyer Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (CCF), along with more than 200 other organizations, joined together to submit comments to CMS in support of a proposed rule that would provide 90% matching funding for state Medicaid eligibility system upgrades. Organizations participating in this effort represented 41 states and the District of…

  • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Filling Budget Gaps in Medicaid

    Tricia Brooks

    With the opening of state legislative sessions, we are beginning to see how states are proposing to deal with ongoing shortfalls in state revenues coupled with the loss of additional federal financial support for Medicaid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). There is no dispute that states will continue to face difficult budget…

  • CHIPRA Anniversary Approaching: Let’s Celebrate Successful Outreach

    Guest

    Elizabeth Wood (Editor’s Note: In honor of the upcoming Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act anniversary on Feb. 4, Say Ahhh! is highlighting how CHIPRA has helped connect children with coverage since President Obama signed it into law two years ago.  This week, Elizabeth Wood, formerly with the New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate,…

  • HHS Announces Funding Opportunity to Help States Build Exchanges

    Tricia Brooks

    Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that states can now apply for grants to “establish” their Health Insurance Exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. These grants follow the Exchange “planning” grants awarded last September to 49 states, including DC, and will provide states with ongoing resources to move beyond planning and begin…

  • IOM Works to Define Process for Essential Health Benefits

    CCFadmin

    By Joe Touschner Even as the House of Representatives takes time to re-debate the Affordable Care Act, many organizations are hard at work implementing the new law. Last week, an Institute of Medicine panel held a two day meeting to help develop recommendations on essential health benefits that will form the basis for state-based exchange…

  • Florida’s Proposed Medicaid Long-Term Care Changes Raise Host of Questions About Impact

    Joan Alker

    Florida’s 2011 Managed Care Legislation, HB 7107, established “Medicaid Managed Care,” a new statewide managed care program for all covered services. Two separate components are anticipated for the new program: the Florida Long-Term Care Managed Care program, slated for implementation first, and the Florida Managed Medical Assistance program, an expansion of the Medicaid pilot program…

  • Will Shadow Still Loom Over Affordable Care Act on Groundhog Day?

    CCFadmin

    By Jocelyn Guyer I’m feeling a bit like Bill Murray in the movie classic “Groundhog Day” as I brace myself for another round of debate on health reform. (It’s like déjà vu all over again!) As the real Groundhog Day approaches, Members of Congress will likely be in the midst of discussing health reform as…

  • John Bouman Supports IL Revenue Package

    Cathy Hope

    During a lame duck session, the Illinois General Assembly approved a temporary increase in the state income tax along with a series of spending restrictions designed to bring financial stability to the state. The passage of the revenue package is the culmination of the efforts of the Responsible Budget Coalition, an unprecedented coalition of anti-poverty,…

  • Block Grant No Solution for Rising Medicaid Costs

    Guest

    By Edwin Park, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities  In the intensifying debate over cutting federal spending, troubling proposals to block-grant Medicaid or otherwise cap its funding are getting new attention. For example, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), the new Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has already discussed block-granting Medicaid with some governors.…

  • Holding Steady, Looking Ahead: Annual Findings of a 50-State Survey of Eligibility Rules, Enrollment and Renewal Procedures, and Cost Sharing Practices in Medicaid and CHIP, 2010-2011

    CCFadmin

    Over the past year, as the nation’s attention was focused on the country’s economic problems and the debate over the passage of broader health care reform, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) continued to play their vital role of providing coverage to millions of people who otherwise lack affordable coverage options. In 2010,…

  • Holding Steady, Looking Ahead

    CCFadmin

    By Martha Heberlein Over the past year, as the nation’s attention was focused on the country’s economic problems and the debate over the passage of broader health care reform, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) continued to play their vital role of providing coverage to millions of people who otherwise lack affordable coverage…

  • 10 Reasons Why Repealing Health Reform Would Harm Children

    CCFadmin

    By Bruce Lesley and Lisa Shapiro of First Focus (Editor’s Note: This blog originally appeared on the Huffington Post.) As is the ritual in Washington every two years, this week Congress began a new legislative session with Republican John Boehner (R-OH) holding the Speaker’s gavel. In remarks opening the 112th Session, Speaker Boehner recognized the…

  • Flags Flown at Half-Staff – ACA Repeal Vote Delayed

    CCFadmin

    Our hearts go out to all the victims of Saturday’s tragedy in Tucson and we wish the injured a quick recovery.  President Barack Obama ordered all U.S. flags lowered and asked all Americans to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. today.  Flags should remain at half-staff through sunset on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011.…

  • States Should Seek a Balanced Approach to Maintaining Medicaid

    CCFadmin

    By Jocelyn Guyer The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the nation’s incoming Republican governors (and four of those who are on their way out) are releasing a letter today asking Congress to dismantle the protections in the Affordable Care Act for low-income Americans aimed at holding Medicaid and CHIP coverage steady until health reform…