Congress Returns From Recess - Sept. 11, 2012

With the August recess over, Congress is back in session for the next few weeks. First on the agenda is finalizing the continuing resolution to extend funding for the federal government – set to expire Sept. 30 – for an additional 6 months. Leaders of both parties have compromised on this stop-gap legislation to avoid a government shutdown. The House aims to vote on its funding measure on Sept. 13, with the Senate following shortly after. Both chambers have indicated they would like to finalize this legislation by Sept. 21.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is set to meet on Sept. 11 to begin mark-up on a series of health care–related bills, such as legislation to exclude agent and broker fees from the medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation. A summary of the bills can be found online. Additionally, the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Oversight is holding a Sept. 11 hearing on the Internal Revenue Service’s implementation and administration of the tax provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The hearing will likely cover topics including the individual mandate, employer mandate taxes, restrictions on the use of flexible spending arrangements and health savings accounts.

NAPH has updated the Advocacy section of www.naph.org with materials covering the ACA’s Medicaid expansion and cuts to disproportionate share hospital payments. Members are encouraged to utilize these materials in their outreach efforts.