The health-related provisions of the revised BBB plan
James C. Capretta | Nov 1, 2021 | Federal
Colorado’s standardized health benefit plan (HB21-1232)
James C. Capretta | Aug 2, 2021 | Colorado
The complicated politics of a federal “coverage gap” workaround
James C. Capretta | Jul 14, 2021 | Federal
An overview of Nevada’s new insurance law (SB 420)
James C. Capretta | Jun 28, 2021 | Federal
Earlier this month, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed into law SB 420, which sets the stage for the introduction of new state-directed insurance offerings in the individual and small group markets. State officials are placing this effort in the “public option” column, and what eventually emerges might validate the label.
An update on the national health policy agenda after the president’s budget submission
James C. Capretta | Jun 7, 2021 | Federal
President Biden’s first budget submission, which he sent to Congress at the end of last month, is surprising in what it omits. Several high-profile health proposals from the 2020 campaign are mentioned in the text but are not tied to specific proposals. While Congress is free to take up ideas
Three reversals point to major changes in federal Medicaid policy
James C. Capretta | May 20, 2021 | Federal
The Biden administration’s reversals of three Trump-era Medicaid decisions signal a wholesale change in direction is now underway. While some legal wrangling is likely (and may be protracted), the previous administration’s imprint on the program is certain to fade with time. The new president signed an executive order on January
Uncertainty emerges in the 2021 health agenda
James C. Capretta | May 4, 2021 | Federal
President Biden’s health policy agenda got off to a quick start but may slow in the coming months. His proposals to expand Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies and increase Medicaid support for eligibility expansion are popular positions in his party (although not among Republicans), and thus were included in
U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee reaffirms bipartisan support for price transparency
James C. Capretta | Apr 19, 2021 | Federal
Political polarization in the nation’s capital has made it rare in recent years for Democrats and Republicans to find agreement in health care policy. A prominent exception is price transparency. Both parties are fully committed to it, as seen in a recent bipartisan letter from the leaders of the House
Alternative payment models require a second look
James C. Capretta | Apr 6, 2021 | Federal
When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, alternative payment models (APMs) were touted as promising tools for reining in costs. After a decade of modest results, the Biden administration should consider adjusting their design. The premise of APMs is that the financial incentives embedded in reimbursement policies