What's New
ACA Implementation Workgroup and Exchange Task Force Meeting
The May meeting will begin with a special presentation by Tyler Brannen, Health Policy Analyst, NH Insurance Department on the Commissioner's First Annual Health Insurance Rate Report. This report focuses on health insurance premium rates and cost drivers and follows a public hearing held in October 2011. For more details about the report and the meeting, click here.
Public Education Opportunity: Graduation 2012 Plans!
Join the NH Voices for Health network as we ensure college or high school graduates and their parents know about the young adult coverage provision and other applicable benefits in the Affordable Care Act. Various advocacy organizations are “sponsoring” a campus and will be implementing earned media and public education activities on that campus just prior to and through graduation. These activities will take place in late April to early June, depending on the campus and academic calendar. Read here for more information on how to get involved or “sponsor” a campus.
The ACA Provides 45 Million Americans with Preventive Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released national and state data revealing that 45 million additional people are receiving preventative health services through provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The health law requires insurance plans to provide coverage for and eliminate cost-sharing on certain recommended preventive health services, for policies renewing on or after September 23, 2010. The report estimates that in New Hampshire, 279,000 people are benefiting from new preventative services. For the full report and data, click here.
Medicare Advantage Premiums Down, Enrollment Up
Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 7 percent on average and enrollment has risen by about 10 percent since this time last year, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced recently. “The Medicare Advantage program is stronger than ever,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Premiums are down on average, enrollment is up, and thanks to the Affordable Care Act we have unprecedented new tools to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities are getting the best value out of their coverage.”
For a press statement and to find the most recent Medicare Advantage and Part D contract and enrollment data, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/02/20120201a.html
Donut Hole Closing: Health Reform Law Saves $2.1 Billion for 3.6 Million Americans with Medicare
Nearly 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act according to data issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The report reveals that NH residents with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage saved $8.2 million or $620 per senior through the Coverage Gap (donut hole) Discount Program, which began in 2011. HHS estimates that the average person with Medicare will save nearly $4,200 by 2021 because of the new law.
For a press statement and linked reports including, the full report on Medicare Beneficiary Savings and the Affordable Care Act, state-by-state savings figures for donut hole savings, a fact sheet about donut hole savings, and the report regarding savings those with Medicare will see over time, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/02/20120202a.html
Voices on NHPR’s The Exchange: Assessing the Affordable Care Act
NHPR's The Exchange recently hosted a show entitled "Assessing the Affordable Care Act" with guests Lisa Kaplan Howe, Policy Director of NH Voices for Health, Marilyn Serafini, the Robin Toner Distinguished Fellow and special correspondent at Kaiser Health News, and Charlie Arlinghaus, President of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy. The program took a “look at the law, its progress, its problems, and its prospects, as well as how the political climate affects the debate."
Listen to an audio archive of the program here: http://nhpr.org/post/assessing-affordable-care-act.
Speaker’s Bureau
NH Voices for Health and its network partners can provide speakers for your upcoming event, depending on the time and location. Topics include "The New Health Law: What It Means for You" and "Advocacy 101: Pushing for Strong Health Policy in New Hampshire and Beyond" among others. Presentation times range from panel discussions to educational forums to keynote speeches. Small businesses, in particular, will benefit from the new health law and a special track helps educate employers and owners on what improvements to expect and when.
Request a speaker for your upcoming event.
Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services : The new health law provides many opportunities for families and small businesses in New Hampshire. In addition to the fact sheets and information on our website, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a full range of information available by state, constituency and implementation timeline. For further information, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/.
State Government : Want to learn more about state health policy? In addition to the resources on the Voices website, you can visit the NH General Court website. There you can find information about bills from the past legislative session, voting records of your state legislators, and the key committees who impact health policy in our state. You can visit the General Court website at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/.
