HEALTH REFORM HITS BUMPS BUT ACAP FORGES AHEAD

The shot heard round the health reform world occurred in the birthplace of American independence as a little known state Republican Senator defeated a well-known Democratic Attorney General in the race to fill the late Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat. The race, thought to be well in hand for the Democrat until the last few weeks, turned sharply in late December and early January on a number of miscues from the Democrat and rising discontent with the apparent direction of governance in Washington. The Republican, Senator-elect Scott Brown, took to calling himself “Number 41” – normally a reference to the numbering of the Presidents – signifying that he will be the 41st vote in favor of a filibuster that would block the Democrats’ efforts at health reform. In case there was any question on what his agenda would be, there was no ambiguity that a win by Brown would be interpreted by national observers as a vote to kill Democrats' health reform efforts.

Contrary to conventional and media wisdom, Democrats do have options if they still want to pass health reform. The questions, however, are twofold. First, do Democrats have the political will to cast hard votes and defend them going into the November mid-terms and second, are they willing to spend even more time coming up with a new bill that can pass the House and Senate while other issues like jobs, the economy, and the national debt are seeming to occupy Americans attention? If they decide to proceed, Democrats could (1) have the House pass the Senate bill as is, eliminating the need for a conference agreement [Speaker Pelosi has already rejected that option], (2) pass the Senate legislation and a second bill under reconciliation [thus negating the filibuster], (3) pass a negotiated bill under reconciliation, or (4) go back to the drawing board and pass a more limited bill that can get some Republican support. At the time of this writing, the leadership has not yet made any firm decisions about how to proceed (with the exception of not enacting the Senate bill outright).

Regardless, ACAP is forging ahead. We have a strong agenda and are well positioned to see some gains for safety net health plans and the people we serve. We will keep you in the loop on how things progress, but at this time, we continue to urge our plans to keep open their communications with their Representatives and Senators and continue advocating for our top issues. Letting off the pedal now means that we could lose the progress we’ve made within sight of the finish line.

ACAP SIGNS GROUP LETTER URGING CONGRESS TO PUSH FORWARD WITH HEALTH REFORM

Late last week ACAP agreed to join a group of other provider associations and advocacy organizations led by Families USA in signing a letter urging Congress not to give up on health care reform, despite recent changes in the Senate that, at first, seemed sufficient to derail health care reform.

The full text of the letter is available on the ACAP website.

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“Health Reform, the States and Medicaid” (editorial, Jan. 10) explained the value of expanding Medicaid, and rightly called for the House’s higher eligibility limits. Medicaid offers more comprehensive benefits at a cost low-income people can afford, and enlarging Medicaid is a less costly way to provide coverage than subsidizing private insurance premiums.

Congress should recognize the realities of strained state budgets and disparities among states, but it must keep its eye on the ball. Providing affordable coverage for low-income Americans is not just “one of the important goals” of reform, as you say; it should be the top priority. After all, reform should aid those who need help the most, and Medicaid is a proven and cost-effective way to do so. The larger the expansion, the better reform will meet that goal.

CARESOURCE FOUNDATION AWARDS $10,000 EMERGENCY GRANT TO HAITI RELIEF

In response to the rapidly unfolding humanitarian crisis in Haiti, the CareSource Foundation has made an emergency grant of $10,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. The contribution will help provide supplies, technical assistance, efforts to reconnect families and ultimately reconstruct hospitals, schools, childcare centers and neighborhoods. Emergency teams from dozens of counties are currently in Haiti and outside support, combined with that of thousands of other companies, will help the Red Cross address critical and immediate relief needs.

The CareSource Foundation has encouraged other area companies and Foundations to join the ranks of early contributors to ensure the health and safety of Haitians throughout the country.

REPS. TSONGAS AND MASSA HOLD BRIEFING ON CONTINUOUS ELIGIBILITY

ACAP is working with Representatives Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and Eric Massa (D-NY), the new cosponsors of our Medicaid Continuous Quality Act (MCQA), to hold a special Congressional breakfast briefing from 9 to 10 am on Tuesday, February 9th. It will highlight the need for continuous eligibility and quality improvements in Medicaid. The event will be held in 2168 Rayburn House Office Building, and will be open to all Members of Congress, their staff, as well as Medicaid providers and advocates. The panel of speakers will include Members of Congress, representatives of ACAP plans, and Leighton Ku from Gearge Washington University.

Representatives Tsongas and Massa plan to introduce the bill in early February. ACAP members will seek additional cosponsors and support during the Fly-In on February 8th and 9th.

ACAP SEEKING MEDICARE DIRECTOR

A Director for Medicare is sought for the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, a non-profit trade association of 45 health plans focused on Medicaid and the Medicare SNP program. ACAP’s members currently include 21 operational Medicare SNPs and 10 plans involved in Managed Long Term Care. The Director of Medicare will be asked to oversee all of ACAP’s Medicare and Managed Long Term Care work, which includes operational support for member plans, policy analysis and lobbying. A full job posting can be found on the ACAP website.

MEETINGS

FEBRUARY FLY-IN, POLICY FACE-TO-FACE AND HILL BRIEFING: REGISTER AND RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY

ACAP’s next legislative Fly-In and policy Face-to-Face will take place on February 8 & 9, 2010. It will kick off with a policy Face-to-Face on Monday morning at 8:30 am, which will conclude with lunch and a lobbying briefing by 1:30 pm. Plans will then go to their pre-scheduled hill meetings on Monday afternoon and return to The Hotel George on Monday evening for a reception starting at 6 pm.

In conjunction with the Fly-In, ACAP is also planning to hold a hill briefing highlighting Medicaid and, in particular, the Medicaid Continuous Quality Act, on Tuesday morning from 9 to 10. Afterwards, plans will continue their scheduled hill meetings all day Tuesday. You can now register at: www.regonline.com/2010_acap_fly_in. More information and a detailed face-to-face agenda will be available shortly.

The date to reserve a room at the group rate has passed, however if you still need a room or need to cancel a reservation please let Sharon Gibson know first, at sgibson@communityplans.net. Please note that ACAP cannot guarantee hotel and group rate availability. If you have any questions please contact Stephen Cox at scox@communityplans.net.

The Hotel George
15 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 347-4200

SPRING MEDICARE, BOARD AND COO MEETINGS: REGISTER AND RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY

Hold the date for ACAP’s Spring 2010 Medicare, Board and COO Meetings taking place in San Francisco, CA. The Board Meeting will take place beginning mid-day Tuesday, March 9th and continue through Wednesday, March 10th. In conjunction, there will be two other meetings for ACAP Plan Staff. Before the Board Meeting, ACAP Medicare Directors and SNP staff will meet on March 8 & 9, 2010. Then ACAP COOs will come together after the Board Meeting on March 10 & 11. Registration is now available at: www.regonline.com/2010_acap_medicare_board_and_coo_meeting.

• Medicare Meeting Agenda

• Board Meeting Agenda

• COO Meeting Agenda

You can reserve your hotel room now at the Hotel Monaco San Francisco and, must do so by Friday, February 5th to receive the group rate of $139/night, by calling the hotel and mentioning “ACAP Group.” Please note that ACAP cannot guarantee hotel and group rate availability. If you have any questions please contact Stephen Cox at scox@communityplans.net.

Hotel Monaco San Francisco
501 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hotel: (415) 292-8183
Reservations: (800) 214-4220