CHA-USA Washington Update 1/8/10

Health Reform Conference Committee Unlikely
Health Care Reform Resources Available on CHA E-Advocacy Web Site
CMS Issues Proposed Rule Promoting Electronic Health Records

Health Reform Conference Committee Unlikely
Following passage in the Senate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act late last month, House and Senate leaders are working with the White House to determine the best method to reconcile the two bills. At this point in the negotiations, a formal conference committee does not appear likely. Instead, a modified bill largely along the lines of the Senate version will probably be worked out by House and Senate staff and then sent to both chambers for passage, perhaps as early as the end of January. Among other differences with the House-approved reform bill, the legislation as passed by the Senate does not include a public insurance option; includes language differing from the House Stupak amendment regarding no federal funding of abortion, offered by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Robert Casey (D-PA); provides for differing revenue provisions, including a tax on high-price health plans in the Senate bill that is not included in the House version; and less generous subsidy levels for low-income individuals and families in the Senate bill.

While CHA was not able to endorse the final Senate legislation, we are encouraged that the legislative process continues to move forward on health reform and will work with the House and Senate staff as they craft a final bill. CHA is urging Congress to ensure that final legislation contains improved coverage provisions and increased premium subsidies for low-income individuals and families, particularly those earning between 133-150% of the federal poverty level as in the House bill; scales back the proposed Medicare and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payment reductions that are included in the Senate bill unless the legislation’s overall coverage numbers can be significantly improved; restructures the hospital readmissions policy to focus on unplanned readmissions related to the initial admission and adjusting for factors beyond hospital control; ensures no federal funding of abortion; and preserves provider conscience protections.    

Health Care Reform Resources Available on CHA E-Advocacy Web Site
CHA continues to make several resources available on the e-Advocacy site for the ministry, including new side-by-side analyses posted this month on the differences between the final versions of the House and Senate reform bills.

CMS Issues Proposed Rule Promoting Electronic Health Records
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule to implement the Electronic Health Records (EHR) incentive programs enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008. The legislation established programs to provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid which adopt and demonstrate “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology. The proposed rule outlines provisions governing the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs. A summary and analysis of the proposed rule is available on the CHA website.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also has issued an interim final regulation to set initial standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria for EHR technology. Eligible professionals and eligible hospitals must use such certified EHRs to meet “meaningful use” requirements in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs. The CMS proposed rule is available online.

For more information, please contact Clay O’Dell.