The US Chamber of Commerce says it aims to include the Affordable Care Act in its list of 2014 objectives. Nearly 2 years ago, the chamber voiced its intent to repeal the health reform bill after it was enacted in 2010.
The US Chamber of Commerce says it aims to include the Affordable Care Act in its list of 2014 objectives. Nearly 2 years ago, the chamber voiced its intent to repeal the health reform bill after it was enacted in 2010.
“When the bill passed, Americans were promised that it would lower costs and allow anyone who liked their existing coverage to keep it. Instead, costs are rising and health plans are being forced to change,” Tom Donohue, CEO and president of the US Chamber of Commerce, had said in 2011.
In recognition of the law’s firm standing, the chamber has shifted its commitment from repealing the law to fixing it.
“The administration is obviously committed to keeping the law in place, so the chamber has been working pragmatically to fix those parts of Obamacare that can be fixed—while doing everything we can to make regulations and mandates as manageable as possible for businesses,” Donohue said in his annual State of American Business address. “In 2014, we will work to repeal onerous healthcare taxes; repeal, delay or change the employer mandate; and give companies and their employees more flexibility in the choice of health insurance plans.”
Also on the chamber’s horizon is entitlement reform. Mr Donohue suggests that the costs of federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid are likely to account for 76% of the budget by 2023.
“Demographics are destiny and there’s no way around it,” Mr Donohue said. “Americans are living longer. Each and every day another 10,000 baby boomers retire—and that will add up to 77 million new retirees over the next 17 years.”
One way the chamber is looking to modify the law is in the way that businesses determine if they qualify as a large employer. The chamber represents more than 3 million businesses’ interests.
“Under the statute, applicable large employers—those with 50 or more full-time equivalents—have to offer affordable minimum value coverage to full-time employees, full-time employees being those that work 30 hours or more hours a week,” said Katie Mahoney, executive director of health policy at the chamber. “Historically, full time has been defined as 40 hours a week, and we would like to see that definition be restored.”
Additional changes would include dismantling health insurance and medical device taxes.
As to why the chamber has shifted its focus, Ms Mahoney said that policy matters have changed since 2011. “The landscape’s very different,” she said.
Around the Web
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Calls for Repeal of Obamacare [CNS News]
U.S. Chamber Looks to Fix, Not Repeal Obamacare [Modern Healthcare]
Real-World Study Reveals Key Insights into DLBCL Treatment Patterns, Outcomes
April 18th 2024A recent study offers valuable insights into the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients across different lines of therapy, providing a look into the landscape of DLBCL management.
Read More
Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
Listen
Collecting SDOH Data Can Assess Risk of Medical Nonadherence, Improve HEI and Star Ratings
April 18th 2024At the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2024 annual meeting, a panel of presenters explored changes coming to Medicare that incorporate social determinants of health (SDOH) data to improve patient and health system outcomes.
Read More
Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
Listen
Commonwealth Fund Report Details Pervasive Racial and Ethnic Disparities in US Health Care, Outcomes
April 18th 2024Using 25 health system performance indicators, the Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Health Disparities Report evaluated racial and ethnic disparities in health care and health outcomes both within and across US states and highlighted the urgent need for equitable health care policies and practices in the US.
Read More