Legislative Activity
This Week’s Hearings:
- Thursday, November 13: The House Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing titled “Combating Ebola in West Africa: The International Response.” The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a hearing titled “Assessing the Implementation of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.”
Regulatory Activity
IRS Issues Guidance On Group Health Plans
On Tuesday, November 4, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance regarding group health plans that fail to cover in-patient hospitalization services. Following reports that some group plans that do not include hospital coverage are being marketed to employers as meeting minimal requirements, the guidance states that the Administration will issue regulations requiring employer plans to cover adequate hospital and physician services in order to meet minimum standards.
Judicial Activity
On Friday, November 7, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in the case of King v. Burwell, No. 14-114. The case focuses on language in the Affordable Care Act which provides premium tax credits for the purchase of insurance plans in “an Exchange established by the State.” At issue is whether the credits are available for state marketplaces only or whether the credits are also available for those marketplaces established by the federal government. A more narrow decision by the Court could make insurance unaffordable to millions and undermine the health care reform law.
