Health Reform Resource Center

In March, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) and a package of amendments under the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (“HCERA”)—known together as the Affordable Care Act. This legislation marks an historic reform of the United States health care system, providing coverage to millions of Americans, and authorizing sweeping changes to the health insurance industry and delivery system.

Ropes & Gray’s Health Reform Resource Center provides up-to-the-minute information on health reform developments to ensure that our clients are ready for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We encourage you to check back regularly for updates on health reform implementation and what it means to you.

New Ropes & Gray Analysis

• Proposed Health Insurance Exchange Rules Released: HHS Opts for State Flexibility (Analysis)
  (July 13, 2011)
   
• CMS Struggles to Find an Accountable Care Organization Model That Works (Analysis)
  (July 11, 2011)
   
• Commenters Disappointed in Long-Awaited Shared Savings Rule (Analysis)
  (July 2011)
     
• CMS Announces ACO Initiatives Including New Model Options for Establishing ACOs (Analysis)
  (May 2011)
   
• ACOs And Antitrust Enforcement: Familiar Rules Raise New Concerns (Analysis)
  (May 2011)
   
• Measuring and Paying for Quality Under the Proposed ACO Rule and Lessons Learned from a Past Demonstration - (Presentation)
  (May 4, 2011)
   
• Proposed ACO Rule: A Giant Step Toward Reform or a Leap of Faith for Providers? - (Presentation)  
  (April 26, 2011)
   
• CMS Proposed ACO Rule and Related Agency Issuances - (Analysis)
  (April 8, 2011)
   
• ACOs and Medicaid: Challenges and Opportunities - (Presentation)
  (March 23, 2011)

New Implementation Developments

• Final Policy Statement: Statement of Antitrust Enforcement Policy Regarding Accountable Care Organizations Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (October 20, 2011)
   
• Interim Final Rule: Medicare Program; Final Waivers in Connection with the Shared Savings Program
  (October 20, 2011)
   
• Final Rule: Medicare Program; Medicare Shared Savings Program: Accountable Care Organizations
  (October 20, 2011)
   
• Request for Applications: Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative
  (August 23, 2011)
   
• Proposed Template: Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary – Templates, Instructions, and Related Materials under the Public Health Service Act
  (August 17, 2011)
   
• Proposed Regulations: Summary of Benefits and Coverage and the Uniform Glossary
  (August 17, 2011)
   
• Florida vs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
  (August 12, 2011)
   
• Proposed Rule: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Exchange Functions in the Individual Market: Eligibility Determinations; Exchange Standards for Employers 
  (August 12, 2011)
   
• Proposed Rule: Medicaid Program; Eligibility Changes under the Affordable Care Act 
  (August 12, 2011)
   
• IOM Report: Clinical Preventive Services for Women: Closing the Gap
  (July 2011)
   
• Proposed Rule: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Establishment of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans
  (July 19, 2011)
   
• Proposed Rule: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Standards Related to Reinsurance, Risk Corridors and Risk Adjustment
  (July 2011)
   
• GAO Report: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; IRS Should Expand Its Strategic Approach to Implementation 
  (June 2011)
   
• Proposed Rule: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans
  (July 11, 2011)
   
• Proposed Rule: Medicare Program; Availability of Medicare Data for Performance Measurement
  (June 2011)
   

What Health Reform Means for You: Industry-Specific Guidance and Analysis

• Health Care Providers
   
• Health Plans and Insurance
   
• Pharmaceutical and Device Industry
   
• Employers