Below is a summary of the discussion draft released yesterday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell with those comments in PURPLE denoting changes that were made to the prior version.
Medicaid
The Senate bill ends the ACA Medicaid expansion and starts a three-year transition period for expansion states, commencing on January 1, 2020. Expansion states are limited to those that implemented the Medicaid expansion by March 1, 2017. The three-year transition period would see the enhanced federal match for those states reduced in stages as follows:
- 2020 — 90 percent federal match
- 2021 — 85 percent federal match
- 2022 — 80 percent federal match
- 2023 — 75 percent federal match
- 2024 (and subsequent years) — standard state matching rate
No changes to policy in latest draft.
Eligibility redeterminations: Like the House bill, the Senate bill requires states, starting on October 1, 2017, to redetermine Medicaid eligibility every six months (or more often, if the state chooses). It also provides for a five percent enhanced federal match to help states implement this. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Optional work requirement: The Senate bill allows states, beginning in FY 2018, to include in their Medicaid program an optional work requirement for non-disabled, non-elderly, non-pregnant individuals. There is an increased match available for implementation activities. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Medicaid and CHIP quality performance bonus payments: The Senate bill provides for $8 billion in performance-based payments for states that report on and meet quality indicators and whose spending is below benchmarks. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Retroactive eligibility: The Senate bill reduces retroactive eligibility from 90 days to the month in which the applicant applied. The latest draft provides an exception to the reduction in retroactive eligibility for blind and disabled.
Presumptive eligibility: The Senate bill eliminates presumptive eligibility. No substantial changes to policy in latest draft.
Home and Community-Based Services demo (brand new): The latest draft of the Senate bill establishes an $8 billion, 100 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) demonstration project for 2020 through 2023 for states to provide home and community-based services payment adjustments. Priority is given to the 15 least densely populated states.
Per capita caps
The Senate bill starts the transition from the current Medicaid program to per capita caps (PCCs) in FY 2020. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Baseline: Instead of using FY 2016 as the base year (as in the House bill), the Senate version allows the states to choose any eight consecutive fiscal quarters within the period of 2014 through 2017 to calculate an average base year. HHS may adjust the base year if it determines the state has taken actions (e.g., through supplemental payment data retroactive adjustments) to “diminish the quality of the data” used in calculating the PCCs. There are also certain exclusions from the baseline period, such as disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment adjustments, Medicare cost-sharing, and non-expansion state provider payment adjustments. Newest draft includes a change for late expansion states that allows them to pick only four fiscal quarters instead of eight. This was a concern raised by Sen. Cassidy (R-La.) on behalf of his state. Latest draft also excludes from the PCCs up to $5 billion in spending for public health emergencies between 2020 and 2024. This was a priority for Sen. Rubio (R-Fla.), whose state has recently been impacted by Zika outbreak.
Growth rate: From 2020 to 2024, the Senate bases their growth rate on the medical component of the consumer price index (CPI). Starting in 2025, the growth rate will be based on the CPI for all urban consumers (CPI-U). No changes to policy in latest draft.
PCC target adjustments: States whose expenditure targets exceed the mean by at least 25 percent will be reduced by an HHS-determined amount of between 0.5 percent and 2.0 percent. If less than the mean per-capita expenditure for all states (but not by less than 25 percent), states will receive a corresponding HHS-determined increase. Federal payments must be budget neutral. The provision does not apply to “low population density” states. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Excluded populations: The Senate bill lists the following populations as excluded from PCCs: CHIP beneficiaries, Indian Health Service, breast and cervical cancer services-eligible enrollees, specified partial-benefit enrollees, and medically complex children. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Essential health benefits (EHBs): Like the House-passed bill, the Senate bill sunsets Medicaid EHBs after Dec. 31, 2019. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Block grant option
Medicaid Flexibility Program: The Senate bill, like the House bill, provides states the option beginning in FY 2020 to choose the “Medicaid Flexibility Program” instead of PCCs. The Senate bill imposes certain requirements on the states with respect to the application process, including a requirement to publish the application in the state along with at least a 30-day state notice and comment period. The Senate bill also includes required benefits and services, applies mental health and substance abuse parity and applies Medicaid rebates if outpatient drugs are covered. Premiums, deductibles and cost-sharing are permitted as long as they do not exceed 5 percent of family income. The latest draft expands the populations that states may include in the Medicaid Flexibility Program from the “other nonelderly, nondisabled, nonexpansion adult category” to also include the expansion category. Additional funds may be provided if there is a public health emergency, again a priority for Sen. Rubio.
Provisions for non-expansion states
Removes DSH cuts for non-expansion states: The bill would remove ACA-implemented DSH allotment cuts for all non-expansion states. In addition, non-expansion states whose DSH allotments were below the national average in FY 2016 would receive an increase in their FY 2020 DSH allotment by the amount it would take to meet the FY 2016 national average. This one-time increase would not impact future calculations. The removal of DSH cuts would not apply to expansion states, whose ACA DSH cuts would stay in place. Latest draft includes a slight change in the methodology that would be used to determine states whose DSH allotments were below the national average. Latest draft clarifies that for the purpose of this provision, a non-expansion state is a state that does not cover expansion populations as of January 1, 2021 (rather than date of enactment).
Additional safety net funding for non-expansion states: The Senate bill allows non-expansion states to provide additional “safety net” provider payments “so long as the payment adjustment to such an eligible provider does not exceed the provider’s costs in furnishing health care services” and also provides an increase in FMAP for such adjustments: 100 percent in FY 2018 through 2021 and 95 percent in FY 2022. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Other Medicaid-related provisions
Support for state response to opioid crisis: The bill would appropriate to HHS $2 billion for FY 2018 “to provide grants to States to support substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services for individuals with mental or substance use disorders.” Latest draft boosts opioid-response funding by $45 billion to provide states grant money for treatment and recovery support services as well as research funds on addiction and pain as they relate to opioids.
Medicaid provider taxes: Starting in FY 2021 and continuing over the next four years, the bill gradually reduces the threshold allowed for provider taxes from 6 percent in current law to 5 percent by 2025. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Planned Parenthood: The Senate bill includes the House-passed policy defunding Planned Parenthood for one year in the Medicaid program. Also like the House-passed health bill, the Senate bill provides an additional $422 million for community health centers for one year. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Changes to the Affordable Care Act
Repeals the individual and employer mandates: Like the House-passed health bill, the Senate bill also retroactively repeals both the individual and employer mandates, effective back to 2016. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Subsidies/tax credits
ACA subsidies: The Senate bill continues through 2019 ACA subsidies as currently structured. Beyond 2019, the Senate bill modifies the eligibility of subsidies down from 400 percent Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 350 percent FPL, and extends them down to 0 percent FPL from 100 percent FPL in the ACA. Also, the amount of the subsidy is based on income, age and geography, and is tied to a maximum percentage of income an individual can spend on the cost of his or her premium. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Definition of “lawful presence”: The Senate bill makes modifications to the definition of lawful presence, such as replacing it with “qualified alien.” No changes to policy in latest draft.
Benchmark plan: Instead of using the ACA’s second-lowest-cost silver plan as the benchmark for premium subsidies, the Senate bill defines the benchmark plan as median premium that has 58 percent actuarial value. Latest draft allows premium subsidies to be used to purchase catastrophic plans.
Small Business Tax Credit: The Senate bill ends the small business tax credit, starting in 2020. For plans with abortion coverage, the credit ends starting in 2018. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSRs) Subsidies: The Senate bill appropriates cost-sharing reduction subsidy payments for two years (through plan year 2019) and then repeals the cost-sharing subsidy program after Dec. 31, 2019. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Insurance market changes
Age rating: Like the House bill, the Senate legislation changes age rating bands to 5:1 and would take effect for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019. States are given the flexibility to set their own age rating bands. No changes to policy in latest draft.
MLRs: The Senate bill sunsets the ACA’s medical loss ratio for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019, allowing states to set their own MLR thereafter. Latest draft maintains the sunset of the MLR in 2019, and then requires states to set their own MLRs for group and individual coverage.
QHP definition: The Senate bill specifically excludes from the definition of a “qualified health plan” (QHP) any plans that cover abortion (except for abortions “necessary to save the life of the mother” or undertaken to end “a pregnancy that is the result of an act of rape or incest”) as of Dec. 31, 2017.
1332 waivers: The Senate makes changes to the ACA’s 1332 waiver process by allowing states to waive a variety of ACA requirements, including essential health benefits and regulations prohibiting subsidies off-Exchange. The Senate bill also removes the requirement that 1332 waivers must be budget neutral or achieve the same coverage rates as would otherwise be attained under federal law and instead requires that the waiver must not add to the federal deficit. HHS may also establish an expedited waiver approval process, if the waiver responds to “an emergency situation with respect to health insurance coverage” in the state. The Senate bill encourages states to apply by making available $2 billion in grant funding through 2019 for the application process. Latest draft adds to the description of the alternative means that a state’s application can use to meet the 1332 requirements to include “providing consumers the freedom to purchase the health insurance of their choice and increasing enrollment in private health insurance.” Latest draft also adds that the Secretary must approve the waiver unless the waiver adds to the federal deficit or is missing a required element of 1332 waivers. It also adds to the pass-through funding language those who would qualify for a reduction in the premium tax credits.
Small business health plans: The Senate bill adds a section to include group health plans sponsored by trade associations within the definition of “small business health plan.” It establishes requirements for plan certification, sponsors, board governance and plan oversight, and includes a provision that preempts states laws that preclude issuers from offering trade association-sponsored plans. Latest draft makes changes to this section that would increase oversight of small business health plans, including certification requirements of both the plan and plan sponsors.
ACA Taxes
Cadillac tax: Like the House bill, the Senate bill delays the Cadillac tax until 2025. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Medical device tax: Like the House-passed bill, the Senate bill repeals the 2.3 percent excise tax on medical devices. But it does so beginning in 2018, one year later than the House version. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Health insurance tax: The Senate bill repeals the health insurance tax beginning in CY 2017. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Medicare tax: The House-passed health bill repealed, effective January 1, 2023, the ACA’s 0.9 percent Medicare surtax on high-income earners. The prior draft of the Senate bill did as well, but the current version has removed this section, leaving the ACA Medicare surtax in place.
Net investment tax: The prior draft of the Senate bill, like the House-passed bill, repealed the 3.8 percent net investment tax; retroactively effective January 1, 2017. The latest draft has removed this section, leaving the ACA Net Investment tax in place.
Tax on OTC medications: The Senate bill, like the House-passed health bill, repeals the prohibition of paying for over-the-counter medicines with health savings accounts; retroactively effective January 1, 2017. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Tax on prescription medications: The Senate bill repeals this tax effective in 2018, one year later than the effective date in the House-passed health bill. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Medicare Part D deduction: The Senate bill repeals the ACA’s elimination of employers’ deduction for retiree drug costs; retroactively effective January 1, 2017. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Medical deduction tax: Also known as the “chronic care tax,” it is repealed in the Senate bill retroactively effective January 1, 2017, and the medical deduction threshold is restored to its pre-ACA level of 7.5 percent. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Tanning tax: The Senate bill repeals the ACA tanning tax effective Sept. 30, 2017. No changes to policy in latest draft.
Health savings accounts (HSAs): The Senate bill lowers the additional tax on distributions not used for qualified medical expenses from HSAs from 20 percent increase in the ACA to a 10 percent increase, and for Archer medical savings accounts from 20 percent down to 15 percent; allows spouses each enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to make catch-up contributions to the same HAS; and increases maximum contributions to HSAs to the amount of the deductible and out-of-pocket limitation. The latest draft adds a provision that would allow HAS funds to be used to pay the premium of the HDHP.
Stabilization Fund
Short-term stability: The bill would appropriate $15 billion for CY 2018 and 2019; and $10 billion for years 2020 and 2021 for CMS to fund arrangements with “health insurance issuers to assist in the purchase of health benefits coverage by addressing address coverage and access disruption and responding to urgent health care needs within States.” Funds remain available until spent. Latest draft amends purpose for funds in the short-term stability fund as noted above in red.
Long-term stability and innovation program: The bill appropriates a total of $62 billion from CY 2019 to 2026, including $8 billion for CY 2019, $14 billion for CYs 2020 and 2021, $6 billion for CYs 2022 and 2023, $5 billion for CYs 2024 and 2025 and $4 billion for CY 2026. For CYs 2019-2021, HHS must ensure that states spend at least $5 billion each year on premium stabilization (e.g., reinsurance or high-risk pools). The Senate bill identifies a formula for redistributing unspent money among other states. Latest draft includes an additional $70 billion for the long-term stability fund, the money was added to CYs 2022-2026. The total for the long-term stability fund in the latest draft is $132 billion.
States can apply for funding for one of four purposes: (i) to establish a program or mechanism to fund high-risk individuals to purchase health coverage including by reducing premiums for those who don’t have access to coverage; (ii) to enter into arrangements with health insurance issuers to assist in the purchase of health coverage by help stabilizing premiums and promoting state health insurance market participation; (iii) to provide payments for health care providers; and (iv) to provide health insurance coverage by funding assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles, of individuals enrolled in plans offered in the individual market. Starting in CY 2022, states will have to pay a specific match rate to receive 100 percent of the federal amount as follows: 7 percent for CY 2022, 14 percent for CY 2023, 21 percent for CY 2024, 28 percent for CY 2025, and 35 percent for CY 2026. Latest draft amends some of the parameters states can use the fund for, as noted above in red.
BRAND New Provisions in Latest Draft
Continuous Coverage: Latest draft includes a provision that requires that starting in 2019 a person must maintain continuous health coverage or they will be subject to a 6-month waiting period to buy health insurance in the individual market. A “gap in continuous coverage” is defined as a significant break of 63 days or longer within a 12-month period or, if applying during a special enrollment period, no creditable coverage at any point during the 60 days prior to application submission.
Catastrophic Coverage: Latest draft allows any individual to enroll in a catastrophic health plan and that those individuals would be included in the single risk pool under the ACA and as stated above allow the premium subsidy to apply to the cost of a catastrophic plan.
Sen. Ted Cruz’s proposal: Latest draft includes bracketed language (commonly referred to as the Cruz amendment) that would allow insurers who sell compliant plans (at least one gold and one silver level qualified plan on the exchange) to sell plans exempt from many of the ACA insurance requirements in off-exchange markets, starting in 2020. It would not allow ACA subsidies to be used to buy these off-exchange plans, but does allow HSA dollars to be used to pay the monthly premium for high-deductible health plans, unless the plan includes abortion coverage.
ACA provisions waived by the Cruz amendment:
- ACA metal tiers, i.e. bronze, silver, gold
- Community rating
- Pre-existing conditions
- Guaranteed issue
- Essential health benefits
- Cost-sharing reductions in group health market
- MLR rebate requirement
- Requirements around preventive health
