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Federal Update   On December 16, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an advisory bulletin outlining policy direction for states on the essential benefits package. Although the bulletin does not have the force of law, it gives states important guidance as they move toward implementation of health benefit exchanges. HHS plans to publish a formal regulatory proposal, but did not indicate when. Read the HHS press release , ACS CAN's ... and materials to the field.    Litigation   This week the U.S. Supreme Court set its schedule for hearing oral arguments on the Affordable Care Act. The arguments will be spread over three days in March. On March 26, the justices will hear one hour of debate on whether challenges can ...

Federal Update   The House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (L/HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee approved its FY 2013 annual appropriations bill Wednesday.  The bill defunds most Affordable Care Act (ACA) programs, including state grants that will assist states with establishing marketplaces where people can shop and compare options for quality coverage, and funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The House of Representatives made similar cuts in the L/HHS bill last year to ACA programs. However, the Senate retained funding for ...

Federal Update   The House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (L/HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee approved its FY 2013 annual appropriations bill Wednesday.  The bill defunds most Affordable Care Act (ACA) programs, including state grants that will assist states with establishing marketplaces where people can shop and compare options for quality coverage, and funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The House of Representatives made similar cuts in the L/HHS bill last year to ACA programs. However, the Senate retained funding for ...

Moving Forward   President Obama's re-election virtually assures that implementation of the health reform law will continue. There is much work to be done leading up to the January 1, 2014 implementation deadline, and it's likely that the ... an amendment to the state constitution to overturn the law's individual mandate. Exit polls showed that 49 percent of Florida voters believe the health law should be repealed completely or partially and 43 percent said it should be expanded or kept as is. Voters in Montana, Alabama and ... amendments. Regardless of voting results, the amendments do not have any impact on the federal law.   Exit Polls: Mixed Support for Health Care Law   Voters remain divided in their views of the Affordable Care Act, according to exit polls from Tuesday's elections. Forty-five percent ...