Implementing the health law: HHS has missed nearly half of its deadlines

The Hill reports that, according to an analysis by the American Action Forum, the Department of Health and Human Services has missed many implementation deadlines in the last two years. Meanwhile, Politico Pro examines issues related to the health law's Medicaid expansion and exchange subsidies.

The Hill: Analysis: HHS Has Missed Nearly Half Of Health Care Law's Deadlines
The Health and Human Services Department has missed nearly half of its legal deadlines while implementing President Obama's health care law, according to an analysis by the American Action Forum. HHS has faced 42 statutory deadlines in the roughly two years since the Affordable Care Act became law -- and it missed 20 of them, according to the AAF's count. The highest-profile item on the list of missed deadlines is the CLASS, or Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, program, which would have provided insurance for long-term care such as nursing-home stays. But HHS decided not to implement the program, saying it simply couldn't work as it was written (Baker, 6/6).

Politico Pro: Medicaid Expansion A Mental Health Problem
Medicaid expansion in 2014 may give states a mental health problem. The national health law, if upheld by the Supreme Court, adds millions of people to Medicaid. And they will be guaranteed behavioral health services under the law's essential health benefits. But finding mental health providers -- many of whom shun private insurance let alone the lower pay rates of Medicaid -- won't be easy (Smith, 6/7)?

Politico Pro: Exchange Subsidies May Produce Errors
The new health exchanges aim for a "no wrong door" enrollment policy. But they may have a big problem with wrong numbers. A new Health Affairs article predicts that many people who turn to the exchange for coverage -- the "no wrong door" -- will be placed in the wrong program, or be given an incorrect subsidy. Some will then have to refund money to the feds (Millman, 6/6).