April 20, 2010
States are beginning to ramp up by making more information available to the public – including a consumer-facing website in Oregon.
Such work at the state level includes coordination with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on health plan rate filings and related issues, even as that federal agency tackles its significant implementation duties.
The drumbeat of federal implementation continues, including the organization of HHS offices to administer implementation and the identification of key individuals leading such efforts.
Amidst the flurry of implementing reform and its focus on expanding coverage, the issue of rising medical costs remains, including the challenge of providing quality care in a cost-effective way.
The need to work together to address rising costs is a hot topic in Massachusetts, which is having its own experience implementing healthcare reform.
Addressing rising medical costs is an issue on which we work constantly, on behalf of our customers, and one you can expect to hear more about in future updates.
One topic percolating right now in reform implementation is the issue of unintended consequences. As an example, news coverage indicates Congress may have inadvertently changed healthcare coverage for its Members and staff via reform legislation.
