Health Equity Connection for December 2012
In this Issue
- New Resources
- Policy Updates
- Fellowship Opportunities
- Families USA Budget Tool
- Register for Health Action Conference 2013
- Upcoming Events
New Resources
Policy Updates
Health and Human Services Announces It Will Not Fund Partial Medicaid Expansion
Responding to a letter from the Republican Governors Association, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that HHS will not provide the enhanced federal matching rate under the Affordable Care Act to states that only carry out partial Medicaid expansions. This decision is significant in light of the Supreme Court ruling in June that effectively rendered participation in the expansion optional. Many states have since called for more flexibility, requesting that the Obama administration grant full federal funding for partial expansions.
Deal in Sight as Fiscal Cliff Deadline Approaches
President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner seem to be making headway in reaching an agreement to avert the looming “fiscal cliff,” a series of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes that will strike at the end of 2012. For weeks, the President and Speaker have remained at an impasse, however, this weekend the Speaker announced he would allow an increase in the top tax rate on people making more than $1 million a year. He also offered a yearlong extension on raising the government’s borrowing limit if the president will agree to $1 trillion in spending cuts. President Obama presented a new offer today that would increase the top tax rate on people making more than $400,000 a year. Spending cuts would amount to $1.22 trillion over a decade. President Obama has maintained that Medicaid cuts are off the table.
Nevada Governor Announces Support for Medicaid Expansion
Governor Brian Sandoval said Tuesday that he will support expanding Medicaid eligibility in Nevada as called for under the Affordable Care Act. Many states are still weighing whether or not they will expand their Medicaid programs. Governors from some states, such as Texas and Louisiana, have declared that their states will not be participating in the expansion. Read more about where states stand.
Fellowship Opportunities
NCHS/AcademyHealth Health Policy Fellowship (AcademyHealth)
Application due: 1/7/13
LEARN Fellows Program (National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems)
Application due: 2/1/13
Disparities Leadership Program (Disparities Solutions Center/Massachusetts General Hospital)
Application due: 2/8/13
Families USA Budget Tool Launched
Our nation’s leaders are engaged in debate over how to reduce the country’s deficit. But how should they accomplish this? Families USA has launched a unique tool that lets you choose your budget priorities and create your own custom deficit plan. Use it and share how you would like to see our budget problems solved!
Health Action 2013
Families USA is pleased to invite you to Health Action 2013! Our annual conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, from Thursday, January 31, through Saturday, February 2, 2013. Register here.
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We’d like to hear from you!
Did we miss something? If you’d like to highlight an organization, event, activity, or other resource in our newsletter, please contact us at healthequity@familiesusa.org.
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