Blogs

President Obama Links Health Care Reform to Rising Debt during State of the Union Address

During President Barack Obama’s state of the union address on February 12, the President touched on a number of key health care reform issues signaling that he will continue to push forward his agenda during his second Presidential term.

Early on in his speech, President Obama addressed the rising deficit, and the potential sequester in particular.  While the President stated that the sequester...

Author: Michael Gomes

Spike in Health Insurance Premiums Likely as PPACA Reforms Roll Out

With key elements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) taking effect in the coming year, many health care and financial pundits foresee up to double-digit premium increases for insurance coverage.  Yet others disagree, believing PPACA has the potential to keep insurance affordable. In fact, President Obama made this assertion during his recent State of the Union address.

One issue grabbing headlines is the looming implementation of employer and individual mandates as part of PPACA’s health benefit expansions and insurance reforms.  This blog briefly...

Author: Michael Gomes

Obama Administration Proposes Change to Contraception Rules

Earlier this month, the Obama administration announced a proposed rule change under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that would relieve certain religious employers from paying for contraceptives for their female employees.  

The proposed regulation, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Federal Register, further expands and defines the groups that would be exempt from covering the costs of female contraception.  The rule also addresses where the...

Author: Michael Gomes

Concerns Linger Whether PPACA Can Achieve Public Policy Goals

Although we often hear both from the supporters and critics of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), a rising chorus of concern is being heard almost daily now in major media outlets.  The news and analysis now is being driven by a more pragmatic and somber approach as many new programs and requirements will go in effect in 2014.  A recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal by Daniel P. Kessler, a professor at Stanford University, showcases this...

Author: Michael Gomes

HHS Announces New Rule to Strengthen HIPAA

On January 17th, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new rule aimed at strengthening the privacy and security provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

The 563-page rule provides the public with more protection, and control over personal health information.  Secretary Sebelius lauded the rule stating, “The new rule...

Author: Michael Gomes

Employer Mandate to Be Based on 2013 Numbers

Beginning on January 1, 2014, the employer mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will become effective.  This provision requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to offer those employees health insurance benefits that satisfy certain affordability thresholds.  Many employers do not realize that the application of the employer mandate will be based on the number of employees on the books in 2013.

According to...

Author: Michael Gomes

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