May 2016
240 United States Health Centers to Receive $290 million from Health and Human Services
On May 4th, 2016, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Burwell awarded $290 million from the Affordable Care Act’s Community Health Center (CHC) Fund to 240 health centers. The health centers are located throughout 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and are expected to use the money provided for new construction, renovations, or expansions of centers already in place.
By supporting and facilitating construction and renovation efforts, HHS believes that these health centers will be in a position to provide expanded services and improved care to their patients.
On May 4th, 2016, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Burwell awarded $290 million from the Affordable Care Act’s Community Health Center (CHC) Fund to 240 health centers. The health centers are located throughout 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and are expected to use the money provided for new construction, renovations, or expansions of centers already in place.
By supporting and facilitating construction and renovation efforts, HHS believes that these health centers will be in a position to provide expanded services and improved care to their patients.
Food and Drug Administration to Regulate E-Cigarettes
On May 4th, 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new rules placing e-cigarettes under their jurisdiction. The new rules require companies that produce e-cigarettes to submit premarket applications, or risk having them pulled off the shelves. The premarket applications allow the FDA to assess the product’s impact on public health
In addition to this, the rules also will prohibit e-cigarette sales to minors and require health warnings be placed on packaging and advertising.
On May 4th, 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new rules placing e-cigarettes under their jurisdiction. The new rules require companies that produce e-cigarettes to submit premarket applications, or risk having them pulled off the shelves. The premarket applications allow the FDA to assess the product’s impact on public health
In addition to this, the rules also will prohibit e-cigarette sales to minors and require health warnings be placed on packaging and advertising.
Update: “A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America” Threatens Healthcare Access for Americans
This March, the House Budget Committee released the Republican budget, “A Balanced Budget for Stronger America”. This budget proposes cuts to federal Medicare spending, a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and an end to current Medicaid expansion. Since the budget has been proposed, Speaker Ryan has had a difficult time garnering support for it both within his own party and among Democrats, who are strongly opposed to the policy implications that would be attached to the proposed spending cuts and restructuring.
This March, the House Budget Committee released the Republican budget, “A Balanced Budget for Stronger America”. This budget proposes cuts to federal Medicare spending, a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and an end to current Medicaid expansion. Since the budget has been proposed, Speaker Ryan has had a difficult time garnering support for it both within his own party and among Democrats, who are strongly opposed to the policy implications that would be attached to the proposed spending cuts and restructuring.
States Achieve Medicaid Expansion (SAME) Act of 2016 Proposes Extending Federal Funding Offer to States Which Have Not Expanded Services
On April 13th, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) of the Senate Finance Committee introduced the SAME Act of 2016. This act would give states that chose to expand Medicaid after the 2014 deadline set through Affordable Care Act the same amount of matching funding as the states who expanded before the deadline. The authors of this legislation believe that increasing the federal match rate for the 19 states who have not expanded Medicaid will act as an incentive, resulting in increased access to care and benefits for those who would be newly eligible.
On April 13th, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) of the Senate Finance Committee introduced the SAME Act of 2016. This act would give states that chose to expand Medicaid after the 2014 deadline set through Affordable Care Act the same amount of matching funding as the states who expanded before the deadline. The authors of this legislation believe that increasing the federal match rate for the 19 states who have not expanded Medicaid will act as an incentive, resulting in increased access to care and benefits for those who would be newly eligible.
Proposed Reducing Existing Costs Associated with Pharmaceuticals for Seniors (RxCAP) Act of 2016 to Help Curb Out of Pocket Drug Costs
RxCAP would put Medicare in line with other health insurance plans who are protected by the cost sharing caps put in place by the Affordable Care Act. This cap means that seniors enrolled in Medicare would not be responsible to pay more than $7,500 a year on medications. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million beneficiaries have paid for drug therapies and treatments above this amount last year alone.
If RxCAP passes and becomes a law, it could increase access to important quality-of-life enhancing drugs for seniors, a historically low-income population.
RxCAP would put Medicare in line with other health insurance plans who are protected by the cost sharing caps put in place by the Affordable Care Act. This cap means that seniors enrolled in Medicare would not be responsible to pay more than $7,500 a year on medications. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million beneficiaries have paid for drug therapies and treatments above this amount last year alone.
If RxCAP passes and becomes a law, it could increase access to important quality-of-life enhancing drugs for seniors, a historically low-income population.