Health Care Reform Federal Updates and Priorities Grace Campbell Regional Director, State Advocacy December 5, 2013 Important Dates SMTWTFS DecemberJanuary FebruaryMarch Final day for enrollment to count 1/1/14 SMTWTFS Coverage begins Budget Conference Committee Reports Congress must approve CR to keep government open SMTWTFS Federal government reaches debt ceiling SMTWTFS 1/ Day Announcement Open Enrollment Ends Last Day to select plan for April 1 Effective Date Proposed Federal ACA Related Legislation Extend Open Enrollment Introduced by Senator Shaheen Potential Impact on 2015 Premiums 1 Year Mandate Delay Introduced by Senators Manchin & Kirk Breaking The Link will increase premiums Policy Cancellations Bills in House & Senate Changes rules in middle of the game; impacts 2015 premiums Breaking the Link: States Experience Says It All Coverage Disruptions Higher Premiums No Reduction in Uninsured Priority Issues Affordability Health Insurance Tax Public Programs Health Care Cost Roadmap Priority Issue: Affordability First Rule of PremiumsNew Benefits = New Costs Changing rules could impact premiums Priority Issue: Affordability What Plans Are Doing Plans Meeting the Affordability Challenge Head On Constructing Plans to Balance Affordability and Quality Innovative Benefit Design Priority Issue: Health Insurance Tax (HIT) A $100 Billion Hidden Tax on Premiums Makes Health Insurance More ExpensiveUndermines Goals of Reform 2 Year Delay of HIT Provides Immediate Relief for Families, Employers & Seniors Priority Issue: Medicare Advantage More than 14 Million Americans Enrolled Higher-Quality Care to Seniors Protections Against Out-of-Pocket Costs Overwhelming SatisfactionBut Priority Issue: Medicare Advantage ACA Cut $200 Billion (and New Health Insurance Tax) Impact on Beneficiaries = Higher Costs, Less Benefits, Loss of Choice Seniors Cannot Afford to Have Program Cut More Priority Issues: Whats Driving Health Care Costs? Medical Liability Fee-for-Service Provider Consolidation Cost Shifting Demographics Innovation Bias Lifestyle Choices Cost Opacity Priority Issues: Our Roadmap