Election Countdown Is On: Get pumped. There are officially 19 days until we pull the ballot levers and 30 days until Nov.15, which marks the first day of open enrollment for 2015 insurance coverage.
Talk About Overachievers: After an exhaustive legislative year (cough), our elected representatives are back in their districts gearing up for the November elections. Before they headed home, Congress approved President Obama’s request to help combat Ebola in West Africa by passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) – a short-term measure that will keep the government open. The CR included $30 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and $58 million for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Want more details? Check out the White House blog.
Better Than A Jumbo Candy Bar On Halloween: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell announced $212 million in grants to lower the rates of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other chronic diseases. The funds will support 193 organizations, including state and local health departments and national and community groups. Pretty impressive for her fourth month on the job, eh?
What If: Ever ask yourself what would happen to the ACA if Republicans controlled the Senate? Well, if the Republicans win big in November, POLITICO stresses that the GOP is still highly unlikely to get the 60 votes needed to pass a repeal bill, though they’re most likely going to try.
Cool Trivia Fact: The American College of Physician Executives is changing its name to the American Association for Physician Leadership, with the hopes of better reflecting the significant role the association will continue to play in helping physicians realize their leadership potential.
New Washington Rat Race: Finally, the diplomats of DC have found something healthy and bipartisan to compete over: the number of steps they walk each day. Health gadgets like Jawbone and Fitbit have become popular in Capitol Hill offices. Even the State Department got involved with a 5-week walking competition. In an age of political gridlock, at least politicians are physically moving!
Update On The ACA: More news, more updates. Here’s the latest:
- You Like Me! You Really Like Me!: HHS says the number of insurers in the Obamacare exchanges is increasing by 25 percent this fall, with 77 new insurers offering plans as the ACA enters its second year.
- Good News For The Not So Tech-Savvy: Americans who want to sign up for health insurance will soon have access to more in-person assisters. HHS announced that $60 million in Navigator grant awards will be available to 90 organizations in states with federally-facilitated and state partnership Marketplaces.
- ACA Helping Hospitals Out: The New York Times reports that the ACA may save hospitals $5.7 billion in uncompensated care costs this year. So far, 27 states have expanded Medicaid.
- 404 ERROR – HealthCare.gov Still Facing Issues: As federal investigators continue to report HealthCare.gov security weaknesses, the Government Accountability Office outlined several areas in which Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not complete adequate security testing.
Emily Herschel also contributed to this article.
