The big news in the health policy world this week was the announcement by the Supreme Court that it will not take up, on an expedited basis, the case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. The Court has not yet decided whether to hear the case later. On the regulatory front, there are some very important proposed regulations on which comments are due soon: one on the frequency of disability determinations for SSI and Social Security disability insurance (comments due January 31); and another on financing for the state share of Medicaid (comments due February 1). (Please see “Your Input Sought.”) In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a Request for Information on “Coordinating Care from Out-of-State Providers for Children with Medically-Complex Conditions,” on which comments are due on March 23. On the legislative front, no bills will be considered in the Senate for a while, as Senators are (figuratively) tied to their desks – in silence, and without electronics – during the impeachment proceedings. (Although eating is technically forbidden on the Senate Floor, there is a “candy desk,” which traditionally is stocked by a Senator from Pennsylvania, home of Hershey’s and lots of other candy makers). In other news, the American College of Physicians has recommended that the nation adopt a single-payer healthcare system or a public insurance option to complement private health insurance. Check out the webinars happening today, and other news, in this week’s Update.
Encourage confidence to act