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SCI keeps the Federal Reform Resources Web page (www.statecoverage.org/health-reform-resources) up-to-date with the most recent information from the states, the federal government, and health policy organizations in an effort to guide our readers through the health reform implementation process. We know there are several places to go for the latest health reform resources, and we thank you for using SCI as one of your trusted sources. Here are some of the most recent resources that can be found on our Federal Reform page:

Insurance Market Reforms:

2011 State Employee Health Benefits: Monthly Premium Costs
National Conference of State Legislatures
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Health Program compiled a report that presents state-level data on state and employee share of premiums for two common types of health insurance coverage (one low-cost plan and one comprehensive plan), to reflect the current diverse insurance market.

Final Rules on Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary
U.S. Department of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have released final rules on the simplified coverage summaries health plans are required to provide under the health reform law.

How Will the Affordable Care Act Affect Small Businesses and Their Employees?
Kaiser Family Foundation
This fact sheet summarizes key provisions in the Affordable Care Act that may affect small businesses and their employees, and explains the law’s small business tax credits and the Small Business Health Options Program exchanges to be established in each state by 2014.

Insurance Exchanges:

Building Mississippi’s Health Insurance Exchange
Center for Mississippi Health Policy
This issue brief summarizes a report by the Center for Mississippi Health Policy on the current status of Mississippi's Exchange.

Colorado Service and Technology Request for Proposal
Colorado Health Benefit Exchange
The Colorado Health Benefit Exchange has released an RFP to acquire customer service and information technology services for the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) and individual exchanges.

New Mexico Exchange Eligibility, Enrollment, SHOP and Information Technology System RFP
New Mexico Human Services Department
The New Mexico Human Services Department has released a request for proposals to procure a consumer-oriented New Mexico exchange eligibility, enrollment, SHOP and information technology system.

Frequently Asked Questions on Essential Health Benefits Bulletin
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS has released a list of FAQs to provide additional guidance on the administration’s intended approach to defining Essential Health Benefits.  The document contains further information about the process of selecting and updating a benchmark, states’ responsibilities with respect to state-mandated benefits, and the application of benchmarks to plans that have enrollees in multiple states. 

Washington: Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan Selection Analysis
Milliman
This Milliman analysis was conducted for Washington and identified essential health benefits not generally covered by the benchmark plan options outlined in the December 16, 2011, bulletin.

Medicaid:

Building a Consumer-Driven Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal System: Essential Design Features for Effective Health Reform
The Children’s Partnership
This brief provides the strategies and technological infrastructure required to achieve the essential design features of an eligibility, enrollment, and renewal system, as viewed through the lens of the consumer in California.

The Ideal Application Process for Health Coverage
Enroll America
This issue brief explains the key steps in a streamlined application process and how they can promote enrollment.

Communicating in Plain Language
Enroll America and MAXIMUS Center for Health Literacy
This brief focuses on the language used in written materials for health insurance coverage such as applications, renewal forms, notices, explanatory materials, brochures, etc., both online and on paper.

Strategic Planning and Timelines:

Colorado Legislative Opportunities and Trends 2012
Colorado Health Institute
The Colorado Health Institute has released this summary presenting the major health care policy themes shaping the 2012 session of the Colorado General Assembly.

Minnesota: Citizen Driven Health Reform
Minnesota Health Care Reform Task Force
The Minnesota Health Care Reform Task Force is partnering with a group of foundations and community organizations to engage Minnesotans in discussions about the future of health care in Minnesota and to make Minnesotans more informed consumers of health care. This document roughly outlines the engagement plan being proposed based on conversations between Human Services Commissioner Jesson and her staff and the Bush Foundation.

State-Specific Public Health Data and Information
Trust for America’s Health
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) has an online resource of state-specific public health data and information, which provides current and historical data on a variety of indicators relating to health, public health preparedness, and public health funding.

ACA Implementation Monitoring and Tracking Series
Urban Institute
The first three state-specific reports, in a series of 10, from the Urban Institute to track and monitor the implementation process and effects of the ACA. These reports look at the progress underway in Maryland, Oregon, and Rhode Island.

Delivery System Reform:

Oklahoma’s Web Portal; Fostering Care Coordination Between Primary Care and Community Service Providers
Assuring Better Child Health and Development III Innovation
This brief focuses on the Web-based referral and tracking system ("Web portal") that Oklahoma has built into its pre-existing Preventive Services Reminder System.

Utah 1115 Waiver Request Moves Medicaid Beneficiaries to ACOs
State of Utah
Utah submitted a Section 1115 waiver request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in July 2011.