Health Reform
Wisconsin out front on insurance exchanges
Wisconsin is at the forefront of an effort to build the information technology system for state health insurance marketplaces, despite Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s opposition to the federal health care law. “Wisconsin has a bit of a head start,” DHS Secretary Dennis Smith said, noting how the state began developing an automated eligibility system for its state-based health insurance programs. “That’s one thing that makes this state a leader.” (APPLETON POST CRESCENT, 3/30)
Health law safety net gets little attention
The primary goal of the 1-year-old health care law – a goal that has gotten scant mention by supporters and opponents alike – is to offer a financial safety net to tens of millions of Americans by providing or subsidizing their health insurance coverage. The lack of attention given to the provision that will eventually expand coverage to millions of additional people stems partly from its not kicking in until 2014, nearly three years from now. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/28)
A year later, federal health care reform law remains controversial
A year ago Wednesday, Congress passed the Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin supporters want Governor Walker to implement the law so it improves health and insurance access, while opponents want to stop the law. When the Affordable Care Act was passed, a Democrat who favored it was in the governor’s office. Now it’s a Republican who doesn’t. (WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO, 3/24)
Florida judge issues stay on health reform ruling
Florida federal judge Roger Vinson on Thursday issued a stay of his earlier ruling that the health care law was unconstitutional. He criticized the Obama administration, however, for dragging its feet and said that unless an appeal is filed in seven days states can consider the law invalid. Wisconsin is among 26 states that are part of the suit. (WHN, 3/4)
Providers fear effects of federal health care cuts
Community health care providers across the state are concerned as the House of Representatives debates legislation to roll back government spending. Scores of programs would face the budget ax under the proposal pushed by Republicans, who control the House. Among the cuts would be $1 billion in funding for community health centers. Such a hit would mean an immediate loss of 60 jobs at the 17 community health centers in Wisconsin and a loss of access to care for 32,000 patients, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. (OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN, 2/21)
Employers weigh next step in health care
A common contention among opponents of federal health care reform is that employers will stop providing health benefits after 2014, opting instead to pay a penalty. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/21)
Administration Seeks Clarity From Judge on Health Ruling
The Obama administration asked a Florida federal judge on Thursday to clarify whether his recent ruling against the new health care law was meant to block its implementation pending appeals. The ruling has led to conflicting interpretations among lawyers for the federal government and for the 26 states, including Wisconsin, that had challenged the law. (NEW YORK TIMES, 2/18)
Walker accepts $38M to create health care exchange
Gov. Scott Walker is accepting nearly $38 million from the federal health care reform law to create a health care exchange, even though he has said he opposes the law and the exchanges it requires states to set up. “The delivery of affordable, quality health care is a high priority,” Andrew Hitt, deputy legal counsel for Walker, wrote in a letter accepting the grant, announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 2/17)
Wisconsin awarded $38 million to implement health insurance exchange
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today that Wisconsin has been awarded nearly $38 million to design and implement a health insurance exchange. Wisconsin is one of seven “early innovator” states receiving funding to lead the way on an exchange “that can be adopted and tailored by other states,” according to a release issued by HHS. (WHN, 2/16)
State insurance commissioner terminates $637K federal health care grant
Wisconsin’s insurance commissioner has terminated a $637,114 grant issued through the federal health reform law, part of $86 million awarded to the state, some of which also could be in question. (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 2/11)
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