News & Updates
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April 20, 2023Federal Efforts, News & Updates
United States of Care Statement: Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters Final Rule for Plan Year 2024 Reflects USofCare Priorities
Washington, D.C. — Following up on previous comments to the proposed rule, United States of Care released the following statement on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters Final Rule for Plan Year 2024, released on April 17: The Notice of Benefits and…
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April 14, 2023Affordability, News & Updates, State Efforts
United States of Care Submits Testimony in Support of Colorado Price Transparency Legislation
Earlier this week, United States of Care (USofCare) submitted testimony in support of Colorado SB23-252, legislation introduced by Senators Julie Gonzales and Kevin Van Winkle and Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Anthony Hartsook that would strengthen existing transparency standards for hospital prices. Health care costs remain a top concern for people…
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April 6, 2023Federal Efforts, News & Updates
United States of Care Statement: Final 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement Reflects USofCare Priorities
On Friday, March 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its Announcement of Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (collectively, the “Rate Announcement”), which finalizes policies to stabilize and strengthen the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs….
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April 3, 2023Affordability, Federal Efforts, News & Updates
United States of Care Submits Comments in Response to CMS, IRA, and EBSA’s Proposed Preventive Services Rule Change
Today, United States of Care (USofCare) submitted comments on the proposed rule change by the Internal Revenue Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would protect the status of contraception as a free preventive service, making access to care more affordable for…
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April 3, 2023Affordability, Federal Efforts, News & Updates, State Efforts
FACT SHEET: Solutions States Can Take to Preserve Access to Free Preventive Services
One of the most popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the requirement that most commercial health plans cover preventive services, including vaccinations and cancer screenings, without cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copays. On March 30, 2023 a federal judge in Texas declared that an earlier ruling he…
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March 29, 2023News & Updates, State Efforts
Get the Facts: What are the Benefits of State-Based Marketplaces (SBMs)?
State-Based Marketplaces (SBMs) allow states to enhance the consumer enrollment experience for those purchasing coverage in the individual market. SBMs provide more tools to states than they otherwise would have when utilizing the federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM), or healthcare.gov. Switching from the FFM to a SBM has several benefits, including: Currently,…
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March 28, 2023Affordability, News & Updates, State Efforts
United States of Care Provides Testimony to Colorado House Health and Insurance Committee in Support of Legislation to Restrict Hospital Facility Fees
On Friday, March 24, United States of Care’s (USofCare) Policy Manager, Eric Waskowicz, delivered testimony before the Colorado House Health and Insurance Committee in support of HB23-1215, legislation introduced by Representatives Emily Sirota and Andrew Boesenecker, that would protect patients from unexpected medical costs caused by hospital facility fees. Our…
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March 10, 2023Affordability, News & Updates, Public Option, State Efforts
United States of Care Provides Testimony in Support of Colorado Legislation to Strengthen the State’s Innovative Colorado Option
In March 2023, Colorado Representatives Kyle Brown and Iman Jodeh and Senator Dylan Roberts introduced HB23-1224, legislation that would build on the successes of the state’s Colorado Option, which, in its first year, has already expanded quality, affordable health care coverage to 35,000 Coloradans. On March 10, United States of Care submitted public testimony…
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March 6, 2023News & Updates, State Efforts
1331 Waivers: State Comparisons to Create a Basic Health Plan
State policymakers across the nation are looking to increase access to affordable health care coverage – especially as state Medicaid agencies begin unwinding from the COVID-19 public health emergency. One way that states can advance coverage options is through the creation of a state-sponsored Basic Health Program (BHP) using a…