Regulation of association health plans triggers questions

News outlets report on this and other issues related to implementation of the health law, including patient-centered outcomes research and how the so-called death-panel discussions are now echoing in the debate surround the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

The Hill: Public Input Sought On Health Care Reform Law
A body of experts on Wednesday began seeking public input on the type of research that should be conducted under the auspices of the health care reform law. The law created an independent nonprofit — known as the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, or PCORI — tasked with conducting "patient-centered outcomes research." The institute is now asking the public to help determine what exactly that means (Pecquet, 7/20).

Politico Pro: Association Plans Could Be ACA Loophole
One of the largest outstanding issues in the rule governing insurance rate increases in the individual and small group market is how, exactly, to define the individual and small group market. Some insurance commissioners and consumer advocates were concerned that the definition under the draft rule proposed in December left a loophole that could undermine not just the rate review rules, but many of the core protections provided under the Affordable Care Act. The loophole question revolves around "association plans" and whether these plans will be regulated on the same terms as insurers who sell directly to small businesses and individuals. There are a wide variety of plans operating under association-like arrangements. Some organizations, like local chambers of commerce, state medical associations or hobbyist organizations, make it possible for their members to purchase coverage through an association plan (Feder, 7/20).

California Healthline: The Afterlife Of 'Death Panels' Still Haunts Health Reform
Two years ago this week, the "death panel" myth was born — and despite bipartisan efforts to kill it, the lie is still alive and plaguing would-be reformers. ... While some Republican lawmakers fought the rumor, the death panels eventually claimed at least one victim: Sec. 1233 of the House health reform proposal. The provision would have reimbursed physicians when providing voluntary end-of-life counseling sessions to Medicare beneficiaries. Now, the Independent Payment Advisory Board — hailed by some as a reform with true potential to control costs — is under attack on similar grounds of care rationing (Diamond, 7/20).