Legislative Activity

Full Time Employee Bill

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Joe Donnelly (R-IN) introduced a bill that would change the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) definition of a full-time worker to someone who works 40 hours a week, up from 30 hours, titled the “Forty Hours is Full Time Act of 2013.” The Senators also sent a letter to President Obama expressing concern about the definition of a full-time employee in the ACA.

This Week’s Hearings:

  • Monday, June 24: The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs will hold a hearing on “Curbing Prescription Drug Abuse in Medicare.”
  • Tuesday, June 25: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on “Program Integrity: Oversight of Recovery Audit Contractors.”
  • Wednesday, June 26: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health has scheduled a hearing on “A 21st Century Medicare: Bipartisan Proposals to Redesign the Program’s Outdated Benefit Structure.”
  • Wednesday, June 26: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Challenges Facing America’s Businesses Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
  • Wednesday, June 26: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on “Health Care Quality: The Path Forward.”
  • Thursday, June 27: The House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Health and Technology will hold a hearing on “Mobile Medical App Entrepreneurs: Changing the Face of Health Care.”
  • Thursday, June 27: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a hearing on “Assessing VA’s Capital Investment Options to Provide Veterans’ Care.”

Executive Branch activity

State Applications for Health Coverage

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released guidance on state alternative applications for health coverage, following the April 30 release of the model single, streamlined application for coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace and insurance affordability programs. Beginning October 1, the Marketplace, which includes the Exchanges, Medicaid and CHIP, will use either the model or state alternative application to determine eligibility for enrollment in Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.