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Washington Insider: Health Care

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Affordable Care Act

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 26 Mar 2012


Today opened oral arguments in the Supreme Court case challenging the Affordable Care Act, president Obama’s signature health care reform legislation. The Court will hear the following arguments, which will determine the fate of the partially enacted law.

The Tax Question

First to be considered, On March 26, 2012, is the issue of whether the requirement to buy health insurance, and its ensuing penalty, is a form of taxation. Under a law called the Anti-Injunction Act, taxes can only be challenged after they have been paid. Since the provision mandating purchase of health insurance is not yet in effect, if the mandate and its penalty are ruled a tax, the Court cannot hear the case because it is premature. … more

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Early Toxic Stress Report Encourages Pediatricians to Link Health Care and Community Services

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 27 Jan 2012

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a report, The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress, which not only examines the effects of early childhood toxic stress, but encourages pediatricians to become  leaders in integrating health treatment and community services for children in order to prevent harmful effects later in life. … more

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President’s Medicaid Proposal Could Hurt Kids

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 7 Jul 2011

As the debt crisis and budget talks continue to make news, yet another proposal threatening Medicaid is on the table.

This one is notable for its proponent, President Barack Obama.

Obama’s health care plan relies heavily on the expansion of Medicaid. So, the latest development, a proposed “Medicaid blended rate,” has experts wondering how these cuts would change the prognosis for Obama’s health care reform. Experts also question how the many children and disadvantaged Americans who would benefit from Obama's health care reform would be affected.

The president’s April budget blueprint referred to a blended rate, but it didn’t raise much concern until it was reported that the administration was considering using it as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations. … more

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President Signs Bill Extending Assistance to States for Medicaid and IV-E

Submitted by Patrick Lester on 11 Aug 2010

President Barack Obama yesterday, August 10, signed legislation, HR 1586, that continues heightened federal payments to states for Medicaid. The additional assistance provides $16.1 billion to states through a continued adjustment to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage.

The change also continues heightened payments to states under Title IV-E. The new law continues the heightened federal percentage for an additional six months through June 30, 2011.

The law, which also contains $10 billion in education assistance, should help states with existing budgetary pressures more generally. … more

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Making Sense of Health Reform

Submitted by Patrick Lester on 29 Mar 2010

The Alliance for Children and Families is hosting three webinars to help our member agencies understand the challenges and opportunities inherent in the historic health care reform legislation passed by Congress.

Three 90-minute webinars, featuring Monica E. Oss, CEO of OPEN MINDS, will be held 30, 60, and 90 days from the approved bill.

The intent is to help members gain an understanding and appreciation of how the legislation will impact human service organizations and the services and programs they provide.

Each briefing will impart new information and opportunities based on changes and updates from the previous presentation(s).

The webinars will be limited to 150 member organizations. The dates and times are as follows. … more

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