Last weekend, the Department of Homeland Security released a new draft of the proposed rules advocates have been expecting for many months. The latest draft proposal expands the definition of public charge from primarily depending on to merely using a government program. Immigrants seeking to adjust their status or be admitted to the US are penalized for using a wide...
Category: News
Trouble for Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee
Judge Brett Kavanaugh was in the hot seat for his confirmation hearings. But now he faces even greater scrutiny following accusations of sexual assault. All eyes are on him and one of his accusers as they are both called in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Stakes are high as we approach the mid-term...
New Lawsuits Support the Affordable Care Act
Two lawsuits were filed recently challenging the Trump Administration’s actions against the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Maryland’s Attorney General filed suit against the Trump Administration, alleging that the uncertainty caused by the Trump Administration about the unconstitutionality of the ACA is directly damaging Maryland. The lawsuit asks that the ACA be declared constitutional and enforceable,...
Washington State Makes Progress in Rules on Short-Term “Junk” Plans
Pending any relief from the lawsuit against short-term “junk” insurance plans, Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler released proposed rules for Washington State and held a hearing yesterday. NoHLA’s comments recognize the improvements over the initial draft but emphasize the need for additional consumer safeguards and for clearly informing people of the limitations of these plans.
Both House and Senate Pass Opioid Legislation, But More Funding Needed to Combat Crisis
The House is expected to adjourn after this week until after the mid-term elections, and are looking to cross one more item off their to-do list before they leave town. The House passed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) back in June, and...
New Legislation to Protect Consumers from High Costs of Health Care
High health care costs lurk throughout the health care system – in premiums, deductibles and cost-sharing and the costs of treatment. Congress has two new proposals that would help to address these issues. A bipartisan group of Senators proposed the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act, which would help to address the issues of...
Federal Proposals to Curb Maternal Mortality Trends
The USA Today investigation into maternal mortality and morbidity found issue with maternal mortality review committees. Instead of focusing attention on the quality of care hospitals provide or on advocating for improvements, they tend to focus more on lifestyle choices in their reports on maternal deaths. Representative Jaime Herrera-Beutler (WA) will be in front of...