Obama administration provides $150 million for health centers to offer enrollment assistance nationwide Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013.  Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced new funding to help more uninsured Americans enroll in new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act.  Approximately $150 million[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 8, 2013.  Today, as part of the Obama administration’s work to make our health care system more affordable and accountable, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a three-part initiative that for the first time gives consumers information on what hospitals charge.  New data released today[Read More…]

Health Insurance Marketplace Seeks Community Groups’ Assistance in Educating the Public and Creating a Culture of Coverage Across the State CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–May 6, 2013.  Ramping up efforts to educate the public about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the state is accepting applications from community-based organizations[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2013.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the application for health coverage has been simplified and significantly shortened. The application for individuals without health insurance has been reduced from twenty-one to three pages, and the application for families is reduce by two-thirds.[Read More…]

“Navigator” program will help consumers understand new coverage options as they enroll in new Marketplaces Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 9, 2013.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the availability of new funding to support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces. Navigators are individuals and entities that will[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–April 8, 2013.  Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards announced today’s submission of nearly 350,000 comments to the Department of Health and Human Services in support of the Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit generated by a coalition of women’s health and advocacy groups including Planned Parenthood Federation[Read More…]

Federal Funding Will Pay for Outreach Activities and Consumer Assistance During Push to Enroll the Uninsured Starting Oct.1 CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–April 8, 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn announced today that Illinois has been awarded a $115.8 million federal grant under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to fund the development of the Illinois Health[Read More…]

Rate Announcement Details Plan Payments & Other Program Updates for 2014 Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 1, 2013.  Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2014 rate announcement and final call letter for Medicare Advantage (MA) and prescription drug benefit (Part D) programs. The announcements set a stable path[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–March 29, 2013.  Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a final rule with a request for comments that provides, effective January 1, 2014, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the cost of certain newly eligible adult Medicaid beneficiaries.  These payments will be in[Read More…]

Data tool helps identify opportunities to improve care for beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–March 28, 2013. A new Medicare Chronic Conditions Dashboard announced today by Marilyn Tavenner, Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), furthers the Affordable Care Act’s goals for health promotion and[Read More…]