On January 9, 2017, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Alex Azar II to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This hearing follows the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee nomination hearing on November 29, 2017. Mr. Azar has been nominated to replace Tom […]
Read MoreOn November 29, 2017, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a courtesy hearing to consider the nomination of Alex Azar as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Azar has been nominated to replace Tom Price, who resigned as Secretary in late September of this year. […]
Read MoreLast Friday evening, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the proposed requirements for qualified health plans (QHPs) in 2019. QHPs are those health plans offered on the individual and small-group markets, both on and off the Marketplaces (or Exchanges). Many of the proposals were familiar, such as delegating more authority and flexibility […]
Read MoreThis afternoon, the Trump Administration released the first proposed rule under regular order concerning the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces (or Exchanges). The rule, which covers benefit and payment parameters for qualified health plans (QHPs) operating on and off the Marketplaces, would impact plans offered in 2019. This is another signal that despite the uncertainty surrounding […]
Read MoreToday, President Donald Trump, citing inaction from Congress, has signed an executive order related to health care. While the action comes before open-enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces begins on November 1, it is unclear how much of an impact this order could have since federal agencies will likely need to follow rulemaking […]
Read MoreOn Thursday, April 13, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final rule aimed at shoring up the Marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). HHS released a proposed rule in February 2017 that included several provisions generally supported by health insurers that participated in the Marketplaces. One open question […]
Read MoreOn Tuesday, April 11, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) held their annual National Forum on the Future of Health Care at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. ACS CAN’s President opened by stating that our nation’s health care system was at a clear inflection point, and set the tone for […]
Read MoreOn February 10, 2017, the Senate confirmed Tom Price to be the 23rd United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Prior to his nomination and confirmation, Secretary Price was a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Georgia’s 6th district. There, he had chaired the House Budget Committee since 2015. In addition, […]
Read MoreOn February 15, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a proposed rule that includes several modifications intended to help stabilize the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace health plans in 2018. The rule includes the following changes: A shift in the annual open enrollment period to encourage more full-year plan enrollments; Required […]
Read MoreOn January 18, 2017, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Representative Tom Price (R-GA) for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Trump Administration. The hearing lasted for close to four hours. Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) decided members of the committee would have […]
Read More