Advocacy in action blog

NAIFA-MA is celebrating a major advocacy win after a very close call. During the last three days of the legislative session which concluded July 31, the General Court introduced H. 5123 which would have implemented a two-year pilot program to extend eligibility for premium assistance payments on point of service cost-sharing subsidies for certain health insurance applicants. In short, this legislation would have implemented a pilot single-payer health coverage program, thus having a catastrophic impact on employer-sponsored health plans.

In May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Final Rule which revises the Medicare Advantage (Part C) program and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) program regulations to implement changes related to marketing and communications, past performance, Star Ratings, network adequacy, medical loss ratio reporting, special requirements during disasters or public emergencies, and pharmacy price concessions.  

The Partnership for America’s Health Care Future recently published results from a nationwide poll showing that the push for transforming the American health care system through a public option, Medicare-for-All or other government interventions in the market is losing traction with American voters.

On September 21, 2021, Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced H.R. 5318. This bipartisan bill will provide much-needed relief for employers seeking to comply with the reporting requirements under Section 6055 and 6056 for enforcement of the ACA's individual and employer mandates. NAIFA believes the passage of this legislation would greatly assist in addressing new challenges employers face under the health-reform law.

On Monday, July 26, NAIFA and our industry partners, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor requesting an initial non-enforcement period for Section 202 of the No Surprises Act.

NAIFA submitted comments July 31 to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) in response to a request by the lawmakers for information on potential legislation to develop a public health insurance option. NAIFA shares the goal of expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare to all Americans. NAIFA firmly believes in the integrity of the employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) system and ability of employers to select coverage options that fit the unique needs of their employees. 

In March, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, which included provisions that provide 100% COBRA subsidies from April 1 through September 30 of 2021.

On Friday, February 12, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that, in accordance with an Executive Order signed by President Biden, a Special Enrollment Period for the Health Insurance Marketplace will be available in the 36 states using the HealthCare.gov platform. The SEP will be available from Monday, February 15, through Saturday, May 15 for most states.

In case you missed it, HealthCare.gov sent a notice that the Department of Health and Human Services has announced a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for individuals and families for Marketplace coverage in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency the notice says: 

On Wednesday, January 13, NAIFA members Elie Harriett and Alan Winstead participated in an invitation-only roundtable hosted by the Department for Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services. The discussion centered around marketplace policies and initiatives that impact agents and brokers.