IWIF Wellness Symposium

John M. Colmers, SecretaryMaryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

June 8, 2010

Launched on May 19, 2010

http://dhmh.maryland.gov/healthiest/

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

• Signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010  

• Reform will do what many states could not do on their own– Expand Medicaid across the board to childless

adults– Require health insurance coverage– Establish subsidies– Eliminate medical underwriting 

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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (cont.)

• Offers numerous opportunities for states to address other parts of reform– Cost containment – Quality and delivery system reform– Realignment of programs funding uninsured

• Maryland’s many strengths, including our unique all-payer system and recent health expansions leave us well-positioned to implement reform

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Implementation Requirements• Significant changes in eligibility process and systems• Changes to claims processing systems • Increase in administrative infrastructure, e.g., call

center, eligibility workers• Must ensure adequate provider network • Significant insurance market regulatory and policy

changes needed• While majority of action is needed in 2011 and 2012,

some provisions have immediate effective dates

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Implementation in Maryland

• Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council was created through an Executive Order to advise the Administration on policies and procedures to implement federal health reform as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

• The Coordinating Council will make policy recommendations and offer implementation strategies to keep Maryland among the leading states in expanding quality, affordable health care while reducing waste and controlling costs.

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Coordinating Council Members• The Honorable Anthony G. Brown

Lt. Governor Council Co-Chair

• John M. ColmersSecretary, DHMHCouncil Co-Chair

• Carolyn QuattrockiDeputy Legislative OfficerGovernor’s Designee

• T. Eloise FosterSecretary, DBM

• Beth SammisActing Commissioner, MIA

• Douglas F. GanslerMaryland Attorney General

• Marilyn MoonChair, MHCC

• Donald A. Young, M.D.Chair, HSCRC

• The Honorable Edward J. KasemeyerMember, Maryland Senate

• The Honorable Thomas “Mac” MiddletonMember, Maryland Senate

• The Honorable Peter HammenMember, Maryland House of Delegates

• The Honorable James W. HubbardMember, Maryland House of Delegates

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Responsibilities• The Coordinating Council will submit an interim

report to the Governor in July and a final report by January 1, 2011.

• Report shall include:– Review of each section of the federal legislation and

identification of affected State law and regulation– Comprehensive timeline, including key decision points– Financial model to estimate annual impact on State

general funding budget; and– Approach for evaluation of options, including method

for soliciting input from interested stakeholders

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Operating Principles • In developing recommendations, the

Coordinating Council shall be guided by criteria to include:– Promotion of positive health outcomes;– Access, quality, and equity;– Workforce development;– Administrative efficiency; and– Containing rate of growth in cost of public and

private sector health care financing

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Initial Meeting Schedule• Meeting 1: May 6, 2010, 1-4 Introductory; affirmed principles for Council;

Began substantive review • Meeting 2: June 10, 9-1 Meeting Goal – Council to get input on

questions for draft interim report

• Meeting 3: July 1, 9-1 Meeting Goal – Council to provide feedback on initial draft interim report

 • Meeting 4: July 19, 9-1 Meeting Goal – Review draft interim report,

provide final input and make decisions for final interim report  – July 23 – Submit Final Interim Report to Governor

• July – January Meetings and Workgroups to support development of final report

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Process for Public Input• Phase 1 – Assessment of Health Reform (May-mid July, for

July Report) – Stakeholder comments to guide Interim Report

• Phase 2 – Discussion and Development of Recommendations (mid-July to end of October)– Active workgroups focused on key implementation issues

• Phase 3 – Review Draft Recommendations (mid-November-early December)– Public hearings about reform recommendations 

• Phase 4 – Finalize Recommendations and issue report (early-December – January 1)

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For More Information: www.healthreform.maryland.gov

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