Today’s Health Care Reform Timeline
The U.S. House of Representatives may vote on HR 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, as early as Saturday. A manager’s amendment was released this week, which amends the original bill to include provisions designed to require insurers who sell policies in the new exchanges to justify any premium increases, to elevate attention to health disparities, and to address quality of care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and mental illness. Reportedly, language is still being discussed to address members’ concerns regarding a stronger guarantee on the ban of federal funds to pay for abortion coverage and stronger assurances that illegal immigrants would not be able to purchase health insurance plans through the new exchange program. The AMA, AARP, American Cancer Society, and Consumers Union have endorsed the legislation.
The Senate is still waiting for a score from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on the merged Finance and HELP Committee bills. Senate floor action will not be scheduled before the CBO score is released.
PA Provisions in HR 3962
HR 3962 removes current barriers to care provided by PAs by allowing PAs to order skilled nursing facility care and to provide hospice care for Medicare patients. Additionally, the House bill reauthorizes the Title VII Health Professions Programs of the Public Health Service Act, the only federal source of funding for PA educational programs. The bill fully integrates PAs into new medical home and chronic care management models of care, including the following requirement for certification of community-based medical homes – “the organization provides medical home services under the supervision of and in close collaboration with the primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant designated by the beneficiary as his or her community-based medical home provider.” The bill defines PAs, along with physicians and nurse practitioners as primary health care providers and makes it clear that PAs may lead the primary care team in the new chronic care management model.
House Republicans Release Health Care Reform Bill
Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) released the House GOP health care reform bill this week, which was drafted in the form of an amendment to HR 3962. The text and a summary of the Common Sense Health Care Reform and Affordability Act may be viewed here. In brief, the bill advances a number of longstanding GOP proposals on health care reform, including expansion of high-risk pools and reinsurance; medical malpractice reform; incentives for small businesses to offer health insurance; allowing consumers the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines; allowing employers to reward employees who adopt healthy lifestyles; incentives for states to reduce the number of uninsured; greater use of health savings accounts; and extension of young adult coverage on parents’ health insurance plans through age 25. The CBO analysis of the plan concluded that it would not do much to reduce the number of the uninsured. See the CBO analysis here.
Insure Kids Now Campaign
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has initiated a campaign to encourage states and communities to enroll the 5 million children who are currently eligible, but are not yet covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Materials on encouraging children’s health care coverage through Medicaid and CHIP may be found here.Applying to the NHSC Loan Repayment Program Just Got Easier!
The National Health Service Corps is anxious to place clinicians in medically underserved communities and repay educational debt. The new loan repayment application may be found here. Links to the new Application and Information Bulletin and Forms may be found here.
Research Announcements on Smoking Cessation
The National Institutes of Health recently announced that stimulus grant funds were awarded to a Maryland corporation to support the phase III trial of a nicotine vaccine. Early results show that smokers using the vaccine have a greater ability to quit smoking and abstain from smoking than those given a placebo. Learn more here. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute announced that the combined use of a nicotine patch and nicotine lozenge provide the best results for individuals attempting to quit smoking. The press statement and study may be viewed here.A Worthy Goal for Veterans Day
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced a five-year plan to end homelessness among the nation’s veterans. The Secretary proposes to combine the resources of government, business, and the private sector. A summary of the plan may be viewed here.
PAs: Continue to Urge Legislators to Include PA Provisions in “Merged” Bills
While AAPA has not endorsed any of the health care reform bills that have been developed, AAPA has been working very hard to ensure that every measure contains provisions that improve PAs’ ability to practice and improve patients’ quality of and access to care. PAs must continue to make their voices heard. Congress needs to hear from the profession in support of these positive provisions within the bill. Please contact your Senators and Representatives today. Be sure to thank House members for PA provisions contained in the House bill. Urge both House and Senate members to support provisions in the final bills that would allow PAs to order skilled nursing facility care and provide hospice care for their Medicare patients, that integrate PAs into new models of are such as the medical home, and that provide critical support for PA education programs. Act now!
GAIN – 1300 Strong and Growing!
Have you joined our Grassroots Advocacy and Information Network (GAIN) yet? Our go-to advocacy corps, GAIN members are speaking out for the profession and making a difference on Capitol Hill. Sign up today and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill.
Key Contacts Still Needed!
A GAIN member mentions in passing that “Rep. So-and-So is a great guy and – oh, by the way – happens to be my neighbor.” And voila – a Key Contact is born! If you have an especially close or longstanding relationship with a Member of Congress, let us know by sending a quick note to Kristin Butterfield. We’ll plug you in to our network as someone to call on when a direct contact with a particular legislator is needed.
Register Now for AAPA’s Capitol Connection – February 22-23, 2010
Join forces with your fellow PAs and PA students in Washington, D.C., for a day on Capitol Hill and the opportunity to deliver an important message to Congress. AAPA's new Capitol Connection (formerly Adventures in Lobbying) conference will be held February 22-23, 2010. Make plans now to attend! Register here.
AAPA Federal Affairs staff is your resource on health care reform and other federal advocacy efforts. Do not hesitate to contact Sandy Harding, AAPA Federal Affairs Director, Kristin Butterfield, Assistant Director of Federal Affairs, or Kimberly Beer, Assistant Director of Federal Affairs, with your questions and suggestions.
