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Trump Cost Sharing Reduction Payment Decision Causes Higher Premiums and Federal Deficit
A lawsuit from 18 states will move forward challenging the elimination of cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments. However, the judge denied the states’ request to require the federal government to continue making payments, finding there was insufficient evidence of immediate and irreparable harm to states and consumers. The elimination of CSR payments will primarily impact Exchange […]
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Competing Affordable Care Act (ACA) “Fixes”
Senator Mitch McConnell is holding off action on the Alexander-Murray bipartisan deal while waiting for a commitment from President Trump that he would approve. The legislation was announced two weeks ago and would fund the cost-sharing reductions and partially restore outreach and enrollment funding for two years, while also removing restrictions on the sale of […]
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Our Crystal Ball Predicts More Federal Health Cuts
Both the House and the Senate recently approved a budget resolution for 2018. It may not matter since it is essentially an outline, but it signals the Republican majority’s intention to make significant cuts to health care and other important safety net programs. “Significant” equals over $1.8 trillion over the next decade. This is very […]
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Congressional Foot-Dragging Puts Children’s Health at Risk
As we celebrate 10 years of state- and federally-supported Apple Health for all Washington kids, we recognize that federal inaction puts the entire program in jeopardy. The House is planning to vote on a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization bill this week. Democrats oppose the House bill’s proposed 75% cut from the Prevention and […]
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Health Care Access for WA State Dreamers
“Dreamers” – immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children without documents – are unclear about what will happen next given the Administration’s announcement terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Check out this new fact sheet from NoHLA for more information about Dreamers’ access to health care in Washington State.
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NoHLA Responds to Health & Human Services’ Strategic Direction
We wrote about the HHS draft strategic plan in early October. Comments were due last week and NoHLA joined the many organizations expressing concern for the direction the Department of Health & Human Services is heading in. Our comments addressed the Strategic Plan’s implications for reproductive health, people with disabilities, health equity, LGBT populations, and […]
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It’s a Wrap: Advocating for Health Care Consumers in Uncertain Times
Over 50 people joined NoHLA at our Continuing Legal Education Seminar last Friday. We had many great speakers and topics. Executive Director, Janet Varon, went live on Facebook to share some key takeaways. Thank you to our amazing sponsors, presenters, and volunteers for helping us to present “Advocating for Health Care Consumers in Uncertain Times.”
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Celebrating 10 Years of Covering All Kids in Washington State
Ten years ago, the Health Coalition for Children and Youth worked with House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Governor Christine Gregoire to pass landmark legislation to Cover All Kids by 2010. Due to this effort and the Health Care Authority’s implementation of Apple Health for Kids, we are celebrating that less […]
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The Power of the Pen
An Executive Order directed the Administration to consider expanding access to association health plans, short-term limited duration insurance plans and health reimbursement arrangements in employer sponsored coverage. The intent is to undermine the ACA’s consumer protections. The impact will be clearer once proposed rule changes become available, but we fear skimpy benefit plans and additional […]
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Even DACA Brings Us Right Back to Health Care
When President Trump announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would end in March 2018, it devastated 800,000 “dreamers” and their families. Unfortunately, without the protection of DACA, these young adult immigrants may be fearful of accessing health care services. They generally have limited health insurance coverage options and have difficulty accessing […]
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