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Happy Spring and Washington HealthCare Update

Happy Spring and Washington HealthCare Update

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Phone:  818-508-7177      FAX: 818-508-7197 Email: [email protected]

Happy Spring, As winter changes places with the flowering scene of spring, I’ve been reflecting on what’s ahead.  It is a great time to plant seeds, celebrate, and welcome the season.  Here in California, the recent rain has caused the flowers to blossom and there is a chance to clear and clean the air. If you celebrate Passover, allow yourself to feel and remember the freedom and liberation.  If you celebrate Easter, remember the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.  Regardless of how you celebrate this time of year, I wish you many blessings for great family time that is embedded in the celebration of the Spring Equinox.  

Government updates, local and national

 SB 562 is the single-payer bill introduced in the California State Senate last year.  The proposed bill would dismantle our current system of public and private health coverage in California, but it has been put on hold indefinitely and will likely expire later this year. While the California Nurses Association, the primary proponent of the legislation, is adamant that the bill should be passed, even the bill’s authors, Senators Atkins and Lara are admitting that the odds are low and that it will take much more time to lay the groundwork for such a far-reaching piece of legislation.  The reason for this has to do with budget; such a big proposal costs a lot of money and cooperation with Washington to pull off.  California wants to be sure it can afford such an idea before going through with it.  As always, I’ll keep you informed on a need-to-know basis.  

My Washington Trip

 I was also thrilled to attend the NAHU Capital Conference, which I attend in Washington D.C. every year for the past 12 years.  Speaking of changing seasons, I was so energized by the feeling in Washington this trip!  For the first time, I really heard from both sides of the aisle that they are wanting to work together.  It was thrilling to be there and feel a part of a solution.  Brokers like me were meeting with federal law makers to explain what’s happening to our clients, how the insurance business works, and how to get the system working better for all people.  Some of the highlighted points we addressed: 

  • Preserve the employer tax exclusion

  • Allow any person to purchase catastrophic coverage regardless of age or income status

  • Continue federal funding for Cost Share Reductions (a part of the ACA which President Trump defunded in 2018 that caused high increases for 2018)

  • Employer-Based Market: Preserve the employer tax exclusion. The employer-sponsored health insurance system provides private-sector, market-based coverage for more than 175 million Americans, including those covered by unions. Proposals that would cap the maximum value of the exclusion or eliminate it altogether would be detrimental to the stability of the employer-based market and would negatively affect middle class.

  • We showed support of the permanent repeal of the Cadillac/Excise Tax (H.R.173) and the repeal of the Health Insurance Tax (H.R.246).

  • For the individual market: we truly stressed the important of market stabilizers to reduce and improve the individual and Risk Pools. Allow greater flexibility for states applying fir 1332 waivers under the ACA. States should be able to apply without having to go through their legislatures, and shortened review time should be required by HHS.

  • Medicare: Allow Cobra coverage it count as credible coverage for Medicare beneficiaries just as an employer-sponsored coverage does.

  • Many Medicare beneficiaries are classified as being on “observation”, which can result in significantly higher claims and prevent Medicare coverage from being applied for nursing home care for patients who do not have three-day inpatient stay for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility. H.R. 1421 would allow observation stays to be counted toward the three-day mandatory impatient stay for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility.

 What a joy to meet the representatives and senators serving our fine country. Some highlights: 

  • Brad Sherman (D-CA) has been working tirelessly with us in CA to try to help out our individual and family plan clients. He truly understands the weight of monthly premiums and listens to our suggestions.  So glad to have him in our corner.

  • Chris Coons (D-DE) has a lovely sense of humor, saying “It’s not the Olympics with Gold Silver and Bronze, it’s healthcare!”  He experienced first-hand purchasing a policy off the exchange and knows what the consumers are facing.  He is committed to improving its function.

  • Dr. Ami Bera (R-CA) shared with me a holistic approach to healthcare and the improving of our healthcare system.  We have to look at the whole picture to get a better understanding of both our systems and our well-being.

  •  Billy Long (R- MO) has a playful manner and a good heart, proudly wearing a cartoon tie from his time working with Children’s hospitals.  He emphasized the importance of working together.  I was so inspired by his unifying thoughts.

Representative Mike Kelly

Sending you all love during this change of season.  Yes, change is in the air. Naama & the A+ Team ♥

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