In This Issue:

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA); Other HHS and Federal Regulatory Initiatives; Other Congressional and State Initiatives; Other Health Care News; and Hearings & Mark-ups Scheduled.

Excerpt from Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

On April 27th the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to state Medicaid directors regarding the process by which states can receive “section 1115 waivers” for Medicaid demonstrations. Section 1115 of the Social Security Act allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive certain requirements of the Medicaid program for states to carry out demonstration projects. The ACA amended the section to require greater transparency in the waiver approval process. The letter outlines requirements that were published in a February Rule on the subject as well as providing further guidance to states.

On May 1st HHS announced the awarding of over $728 million to support renovation and construction projects at community health centers.