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AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
MASSACHUSETTS IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
January 18, 2011 |
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These Updates, published by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) in consultation with the other state agencies involved in ACA implementation, will bring you news related to the implementation of provisions of the ACA here in Massachusetts. |
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Grants
The ACA provides funding opportunities to transform how health care is delivered, expand access to care and support healthcare workforce training.
Applications Pending
On January 7, 2011 the Executive Office of Health and Human Services submitted a proposal to participate in the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Grant Demonstration under §2403 of the ACA. Grant funding will allow the Commonwealth to expand it's existing capacity to transition people from institutions to the community and assure access to the services necessary for a successful community transition. The project abstract and profile can be viewed on our website at mass.gov/nationalhealthreform under the Grants section.
Grant Announcements
Health Center Planning Grants, under §10503 of the ACA. Announced 1/7/11. Application due 3/18/11. The purpose of the Health Center Program is to extend comprehensive primary and preventive health services (including mental health, substance abuse and oral health services) and supplemental services to populations currently without access to such services, and to improve their health status. Public and non-profit private entities, including tribes and tribal organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations are eligible. State is not eligible. HRSA anticipates that up to $10 million may be available to support approximately 125 grants in FY2011 HRSA Grants. |
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Guidance
1/13/11 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on a proposed rule to establish a Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program that would reward hospitals for providing high quality, safe care for patients in the Medicare program as required by §3001(a) of the ACA. The new program will begin in FY2013 and apply to Medicare payments under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System for inpatient stays in more than 3,000 acute care hospitals. Comments are due 3/8/11. The Federal Register notice can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-454.pdf
Tasked by HHS to make recommendations on the criteria and methods for determining and updating the "essential health benefits" requirement in the ACA, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is convening a meeting, scheduled for 1/12/11- 1/14/11. The "essential benefits" package is a set of medical services and treatments that all insurers will be required to cover. For more information, click here: http://webapps.dol.gov/FederalRegister/PdfDisplay.aspx?DocId=23983) The meeting begins with one day of discussion closed to the public followed by two days of public meetings. At the public meetings, presentations from states that already require their insurers to cover a core set of benefits are expected. IOM received over 300 responses to the essential benefits survey it posted online last month. The IOM essential benefits agenda can be found at: http://iom.edu/Activities/HealthServices/EssentialHealthBenefits/2011-JAN-12.aspx. Presentations and audio broadcasts from the first committee meeting can be found at: http://iom.edu/Activities/HealthServices/EssentialHealthBenefits/2011-JAN-12.aspx
Note that the guidance listed in this section dates back to December 30, 2010. Prior guidance can be viewed at www.healthcare.gov.
News
1/5/11 HHS informed Congress that OCIIO, the newly formed Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, a key office responsible for overseeing health reform implementation, is moving under CMS. HHS is also putting the Department's Administration on Aging in charge of implementing the CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act), a new voluntary long-term care insurance program. The reorganization places the HHS OCIIO under the control of CMS Principal Deputy Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. OCIIO's current director, Jay Angoff, will serve as an adviser in the HHS Office of the Secretary, advising Sebelius on policy issues pertaining to provisions handled by OCIIO. Under CMS it will become the Center of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging, is providing interim leadership to the staff working on CLASS. Sebelius notified House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Ky., of the changes in letters sent Wednesday. HHS will publish the proposed CMS reorganization chart in an upcoming Federal Register notice.
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Upcoming Events
Next Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Implementation meeting
Wednesday March 2, 2011 from 3:00-4:00 P.M.
1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor, Boston |
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