September 10, 2009

President Obama and Senate Finance Committee Take Action on Health Care Reform; National Council Releases New Resources on Reform Proposals

Harkin to Chair Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; Dodd Will Continue to Play Leadership Role on Healthcare Reform

Medicaid Sign On Letter In Support of Simplifying Medicaid Eligibility Submitted to House and Senate Leadership

National Council to Hold 6th Annual Hill Day on June 29-30, 2010; Book Your Hotel Room Today!
 

President Obama and Senate Finance Committee Take Action on Health Care Reform; National Council Releases New Resources on Reform Proposals

President Obama addressed a Joint Session of Congress to describe his health care reform plan. During the speech, the President emphasized the importance of taking action on this issue and expressed his willingness to be open to certain compromises, including a government-run health care option. The Administration has released several useful documents, including a One-Pager on the Obama Plan and a lengthier explanation of the Obama Plan. You can also read the transcript from the President’s address to the Joint Session of Congress online.

In related news, Senate Finance Committee Chair Baucus released his “Framework for Comprehensive Reform”, and stated his intentions to release a draft bill or ‘Chairman’s Mark’ the week of September 21. The Framework, which was provided to the “Gang of 6” to continue discussions prior to the release of the Mark, outlines several overarching principles of importance to National Council members. These provisions include parity for mental health and addiction services provided within the individual and small group market insurance plans, several insurance industry reforms (including the elimination of lifetime limits, excluding coverage for pre-existing conditions, and rescinding coverage), and the creation of a new Medicaid eligibility category for childless adults at or below 133% of FPL. The National Council has created an initial summary of the Framework.

The National Council also has resource summarizing the amendments related to mental health and addiction services in HR 3200, the House version of the Affordable Health Choices Act. The recording and powerpoint presentation from the latest National Council Health Care Reform Update webinar, held on September 9, is now available online.

As further details emerge on the Senate Finance Committee proposal, stay tuned to the Public Policy Update and other communications from the National Council to find out how you can get involved.

Harkin to Chair Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; Dodd Will Continue to Play Leadership Role on Healthcare Reform

Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed that Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa will take over as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, a seat previously held by the late Senator Kennedy. Although Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) had stepped in as temporary chair of the committee for the past few months due to Senator Kennedy’s illness, he opted to remove himself from consideration for this position and remain as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. However, Senator Dodd stated that he will continue to be a vocal advocate for health care reform.

Senator Harkin, who also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has recently co-sponsored several pieces of legislation of interest to the National Council - including the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S 700) and the Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act of 2009 (S 697) – and was a recipient of a 2009 Legislator of the Year Award from the National Council. In addition, Senator Harkin’s website details the Senator’s support of a wellness initiative for children that includes mental health services and emphasizes the importance of providing mental health services to veterans and their families.

The National Council looks forward to the opportunity to work with Senator Harkin and other leaders in both the House and Senate to ensure the comprehensive inclusion of addiction and mental health services in health care reform.

Medicaid Sign On Letter In Support of Simplifying Medicaid Eligibility Submitted to House and Senate Leadership

Earlier this week, a letter in support of simplifying Medicaid eligibility by connecting it to federal poverty level was submitted to House and Senate leadership. This letter, jointly drafted by the National Council, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Corporation for Supportive Housing and signed by 200 local, state, and national advocates states:

• By basing eligibility on federal poverty level, this will end current policy which prevents single adults with chronic but not disabling conditions, parents separated from their children, and young adults leaving the foster care system from being eligible for Medicaid.
• Medicaid reimbursement policy should support coordinated service delivery between primary care, mental health, and addiction treatment services by allowing providers to receive reimbursement for all services they provide.

The National Council would like to thank the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Corporation for Supportive Housing for their partnership and all of the organizations that signed on to this letter. To see the final version of the letter, click here.

National Council to Hold 6th Annual Hill Day on June 29-30, 2010; Book Your Hotel Room Today!
Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill! Join us for the National Council’s 6th Annual Hill Day on June 29-30th, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency. The Hyatt is located right on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. You can book your hotel room at a rate of $239/night by calling the hotel: 202-737-1234 and mention the National Council room block. Stay tuned to the Public Policy Update and the Hill Day 2010 page of our website for further updates about Hill Day, including a schedule of events, speakers, and much more!