Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The White House released the final report from the White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA). President Barack Obama hosted the sixth WHCOA on July 13, 2015. Prior to the conference, events were hosted all over the United States to allow stakeholders to provide their input. The final report summarizes the work done both at the WHCOA and during the pre-conference activities and feedback elicited throughout the process.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their monthly report for September 2015 on Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility, and enrollment data. States provides data to CMS on factors related to key application, eligibility and enrollment processes using the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. The data is then used to inform CMS on the operations of the programs in each state and to share state performance data publicly.

The Kaiser Family Foundation released an issue brief that analyzes the cost of Medicare Part D drug plans, specifically out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. A major finding from the brief showed that Medicare Part D enrollees may pay thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket costs if they require a specialty drug, even after exceeding the catastrophic coverage threshold. This study's findings emphasize how important it is for beneficiaries to diligently shop for new plans each year.

This is a report on the lifelong disparities that exist among older American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) populations when compared to the general United States population of older adults. The report includes a definition of who falls into the category of American Indian, identifies where these populations generally live in the U.S., and compares AI/ANs generally with the rest of the population of older adults and also specifically compares health coverage.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new report that shows the premium rebate record since 2011. The Affordable Care Act requires that health insurance companies spend a minimum of 80% of premium dollars on health care, resulting in $2.4 billion in consumer rebates since 2011. CMS' results indicate that consumers are receiving a higher value for their premium dollars as a result of the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR), 80/20 rule.

The LEAD Center published a policy brief that examines the impact of employment programs on health care costs for working-age people with disabilities. People with disabilities are responsible for a disproportionate amount of healthcare spending each year, mainly through Medicare and Medicaid. Employment of people with disabilities shows a "protective impact" on health, which would ultimately help to lower public spending on health care for this population.

States provides data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on factors related to key application, eligibility and enrollment processes using the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. The data is then used to inform CMS on the operations of the programs in each state and to share state performance data publicly. Data collection for this project began in October 2013 and is reported monthly. Enrollment reached 72.4 million people for Medicaid and CHIP in August 2015.

The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured released a report that provides an overview of Medicaid enrollment and spending during state Fiscal Years (FY) 2015 and 2016. The results were gathered from interviews with state Medicaid directors as part of the 15th annual survey of Medicaid directors. Enrollment and spending significantly increased in Fiscal Year 2015, which was the first full year that the Affordable Care Act expansions were implemented.

These documents are summaries of Key Provisions in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (HR 3590) as amended by the “Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010” (HR 4872). They offer comprehensive charts with analyses and information about rulemaking from the Affordable Care Act.

The Milbank Memorial Fund released a new study, the Role of State Medicaid Directors: A Leadership Imperative. This study was authored by Andy Allison, a former Kansas and Arkansas Medicaid Director. The study focuses on the current climate of Medicaid policy, organizations and leadership. There is a specific focus on how the administration is structured for Medicaid in the states and the adequacy of state investments in the role and compensation of these leaders.