Health Affairs Blog: Implementing Health Reform: The Dam Bursts

http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2012/11/21/implementing-health-reform-the-dam-bursts/

Good summary of recent proposed regulations addressing the Obamacare insurance market reforms and rate review.


http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2012/11/21/implementing-health-reform-essential-health-benefits-actuarial-value-and-accreditation/

Another good summary, this one of recent proposed rules for essential health benefits.

Forbes: The U.S. Supreme Court Allows New Challenge To Obamacare To Go Forward

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/11/26/the-u-s-supreme-court-allows-new-challenge-to-obamacare-to-go-forward/

SCOTUS vacates decision of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and orders court to hear arguments on two provisions:  (1) the employer mandate, and (2) the contraceptive benefit without the need for a co-pay.  This is the case brought by Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.  There is some speculation that one or both of these issues could end up before SCOTUS in the next session.

NYT: Administration Defines Benefits That Must be Offered Under the Health Law

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/21/us/politics/administration-defines-benefits-under-health-law.html?hpw

New proposed Affordable Care Act regulations came down Tuesday.  This article from the New York Times provides some highlights.  Among other things, the proposed rules set forth 10 categories of minimum essential benefits for health plans.  Among these would be dental care and vision services for children and treatment of mental health and drug abuse problems.  The president of America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, is quoted expressing concern that “many families and small businesses will be required to purchase coverage that is more costly than they have today.” 

More on the proposed regulations to come.

The Hill: 5 Obamacare Battles to Watch

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/268573-5-obamacare-battles-to-watch

With Obamacare now a reality, employers choose strategies - Chicago Sun-Times

With Obamacare now a reality, employers choose strategies - Chicago Sun-Times

WSJ: Health-Care Law Spurs a Shift to Part-Time Workers

Health-Care Law Spurs a Shift to Part-Time Workers (Subscription Required)

NYT: Fate of Health Law Now Clear, States Rush to Meet Deadlines

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/health/states-face-tight-health-care-deadlines.html?hp

Among other things, this discusses the flurry of new regulations implementing Obamacare expected in the coming weeks and months.  For employers, among the most important of these will be IRS regulations on how it is determined whether employers are providing affordable coverage to their employees.   The IRS has not yet determined whether employers will be required to provide coverage only to employees, or to workers and their dependents -- or else potentially pay the penalty.