Waivers continue to be flashpoints in health overhaul's implementation

More than 1,040 waiver requests have been approved so far by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding so-called "mini-med" plans. But the perplexing question appears to be how HHS will handle the requests in 2012 and 2013, before a major provision of the health law takes effect. In addition, anticipation continues to mount in regard to the upcoming release of ACO regs. And other questions — those relating to the individual mandate and the major regulatory steps that are next on the administration's to-do list — also are capturing a significant portion of debate and discussion.

Politico: Waivers At Center Of Health Debate
Exceptions may become the rule as the Affordable Care Act heads into its second year. Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services have approved no fewer than 1,040 requests for so-called mini-med waivers, which would allow companies to cap their annual payouts at a lower level than dictated by the law (Kliff, 3/14).

The Hill: Health Waivers For 2012, 2013 A Question
The Obama administration, which has taken flak from Republicans for granting more than 1,000 one-year waivers for a portion of the health care reform law, still faces an important question of how to handle waivers in 2012 and 2013, before a major component of the law goes into effect. The one-year waivers are typically granted to organizations that offer limited health insurance, known as "mini-med" plans, that sometimes provide as little as $2,000 in annual coverage. They are meant as a stopgap measure until new state-run health insurance exchanges open, which will mark the end of the so-called "mini-med plans," according to the Department of Health and Human Services (Millman, 3/13).

Modern Healthcare: Expect ACO Regs In Next Two Weeks: Sebelius
Highly anticipated draft regulations for accountable care organizations will come within the next two weeks, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters, after a congressional hearing on President Barack Obama's proposed fiscal 2012 budget. Federal officials have repeatedly delayed issuance of the regulations since January. "There are folks who have providers in their area who are very eager and interested to be involved," Sebelius said. The regulations, she said, will emphasize encouraging a wide variety of health care provider groupings (Daly, 3/11).

Politico: Can There Be Life After Mandate?
A year after the health care overhaul's historic passage amid a volatile political debate, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is still under siege — perhaps even more today than it was then (Haberkorn, 3/14).

CQ HealthBeat: In Year Two Of The Health Care Overhaul, The Wonks Will Really Go To Work
Federal regulators face dual challenges as they head into the second year of implementing the health care overhaul. They must continue the methodical work of preparing for change while defending the law against opponents in Congress, the states and the courts. The next regulatory steps will be largely invisible to the public, in contrast to the law's inaugural year — which ends March 23 — when high-profile benefits and consumer protections attracted widespread publicity and scrutiny. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials will create a Medicare initiative to encourage hospitals and physicians to coordinate more closely on patient care in the coming year. Regulators will start deciding which medical services health plans must cover as of 2014. Negotiations between federal and state officials will escalate as states prepare to launch the health insurance markets that will expand coverage. And researchers will get federal money to find the most effective way to treat diseases (Adams, 3/11).