Competing Senate Healthcare Bills
Senate Republicans launched competing proposals today to address the healthcare debate. Some want to preserve the enhanced subsidies, while others want the enhanced subsidies to expire and be replaced by direct cash to Americans. GOP Sens. Bernie Moreno, R-OH, and Susan Collins, R-ME, introduced a bill with a two-year extension of the enhancements with some conservative reforms – an income eligibility cap at $200,000, minimum premiums of $25 per month, and fraud reforms. The main competing proposal from HELP Chair Bill Cassidy, R-LA, and Mike Crapo, R-ID, doesn’t extend the subsidies at all. Instead, it would redirect that money into Health Savings Accounts paired with bronze or catastrophic plans on the Exchanges. Certain ACA enrollees earning less than 700 percent of the federal poverty level would receive $1,000 in an HSA if they’re 18 to 49 years old, and $1,500 if they’re 50 to 64.
In other news, a new poll says 57% of Americans approve of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while 35% oppose. In addition to potentially going without coverage, healthcare policy group finds that many Americans may turn to short-term duration plans. And finally, Democrats are taking on water for a budding Medicaid scandal in Minnesota, under the leadership of Gov. and former Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz.
Additional articles: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5638360-aca-affordable-care-act-obama-care-approval/?tbref=hp and https://www.kff.org/quick-take/as-aca-deadline-approaches-some-price-sensitive-consumers-may-consider-switching-to-short-term-plans/ and https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dr-oz-warns-walz-address-alleged-somali-medicaid-fraud-lose-federal-funding-stop-paying
#exchanges #congress #trump #healthcare #coverage
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5638878-senate-republicans-health-care-proposals
CMS Issues Guidance On Medicaid Work Requirements
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced major regulatory guidance to implement the Medicaid work requirement provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). A press release from the agency said that the provisions aim to connect able-bodied, working-age adults with work and community engagement opportunities, reduce improper enrollment, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). States must implement these requirements by January 1, 2027, but may choose to do so earlier. The sweeping requirements could lead to 4.8 million losing Medicaid coverage due to expected administrative snafus and a lack of awareness.
Additional article: https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/cib12082025.pdf
#medicaid #workrequirements #obbba
CMS: States Have No Authority On MA Commissions
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a regulatory memo today informing state insurance departments they have no ability to regulate Medicare Advantage (MA) broker compensation and marketing practices because federal law pre-empts state laws. A number of plans have been cited by insurance or other regulators about commission limitations or eliminations on products. The agency reiterated that it maintains the authority to govern agent and broker compensation, marketing materials, enrollment forms, and application requirements. CMS seemingly justified the zeroing out of commissions.
States can regulate licensing and solvency of insurers. As well, they license agents and brokers.
Additional articles: https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/medicare-advantage/cms-states-cannot-regulate-medicare-advantage-broker-compensation/
#medicareadvantage #marketings #agents #brokers
https://www.modernhealthcare.com/insurance/mh-cms-medicare-advantage-marketing-commission-states/
— Marc S. Ryan
