The Affordable Care Act included a Basic Health option that allows states to cover individuals earning below 200 percent of federal poverty through a state-run program. New York and Minnesota sued after the federal government changed the amounts they would receive to operate their Basic Health programs following the termination of cost-sharing reductions. They reached...
Category: News
Buyer’s Remorse Over Republican Tax Plan?
Two Republicans recently criticized the Republican tax bill that passed in January. Ousted Health & Human Services Secretary Tom Price said the Republican efforts to undo the individual mandate would increase costs for the people remaining insured – but later claimed his comments were taken out of context. Senator Marco Rubio voted for the tax...
The Impact of the Administration’s Actions is Clear
A recent Commonwealth Fund analysis found that the Affordable Care Act coverage gains are beginning to recede, largely due to actions taken by the Administration and Congress in the past year. Four million working age adults have lost coverage since 2016. The increase in the uninsured rate was higher for people earning less than 250%...
Lawsuits Challenge Family Planning Funding Changes
Earlier this year, the Administration announced proposed changes to the federal Title X family planning program to focus on abstinence and natural family planning methods. But new lawsuits seek to protect this funding, which benefits millions of low-income patients in need of comprehensive sexual health services. The new focus on abstinence is another hit to...
Celebrating Mother’s Day by Tracking Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality is on the rise in the United States – a shocking trend that needs to be addressed. Two women die each day during or related to childbirth and there are 50,000 “near misses” each year – most of which are preventable. There are also staggering health disparities in maternal mortality, primarily for African...
Undermining Health Care Access and Affordability, One Rule at a Time
In 2016, federal rules were adopted to enforce the non-discrimination section of the Affordable Care Act. The rules prohibit doctors, hospitals and insurers from discriminating against transgender individuals. Provisions defining “sex” discrimination as including discrimination based on gender identity and termination of pregnancy were struck down in a nationwide injunction by a federal judge before...
Washington Governor Joins Pushback on “Public Charge” Rules
We recently shared information about a gravely concerning proposed rule that would threaten immigrants’ access to critical benefits. The proposed rule is still under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been published. But many are concerned. On Tuesday, At NoHLA’s request, Washington’s Governor Inslee was the first Governor...