Arc Capitol Insider

Incentives for Nondiscriminatory Wellness Programs in Group Health Plans, a rule about employer-sponsored wellness programs, was released by the Obama administration. Although research has yet to demonstrate that workplace wellness programs achieve their intended goals – reduce healthcare costs and improve employee health, employers will be permitted to reward employees who participate in wellness programs by reducing their health insurance premiums by up to 30% and up to 50% for programs that are designed to prevent or reduce smoking. Employers can penalize employees who do not participate by increasing their premiums. The rules are intended to prevent discrimination against people who cannot meet wellness targets due to their disability.   Employers must provide reasonable alternatives so that employees who cannot meet health targets can still participate and be eligible for rewards.
  
 
Major Events This Week
 
Social Security – Trustees Release 2013 Report

The Social Security Trustees have released their annual report on the current and projected financial status of the Social Security trust funds. Similar to 2012, the 2013 findings show that Social Security is fully solvent until 2033, but faces a moderate long-term shortfall. In 2012, Social Security took in roughly $54 billion more than it paid out. Its reserves were $2.73 trillion in 2012, and are projected to grow to $2.9 trillion by the end of 2021. If Congress does not act before 2033, the reserves would be drawn down, and revenue coming into the Trust Funds would cover about 77 percent of scheduled benefits. The 2013 Report also continues to project that the Disability Insurance (DI) trust fund by itself can pay all scheduled benefits until 2016. If Congress takes no action before 2016, the Trustees project that the DI trust fund will be able to pay about 80 percent of scheduled benefits.

As noted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the National Academy of Social Insurance, the long-term growth in DI has been predicted since the mid-1990s and is largely due to demographic factors. The U.S. population and the number of workers insured for DI have grown; on average, Americans are living longer but with more disability; and the baby boomers are now in their high disability years.
 
Traditionally, Congress has reallocated payroll tax revenues between the OASI and DI trust funds to address projected shortfalls. According to the Social Security Chief Actuary, a modest reallocation of the total OASDI payroll tax, enacted prior to 2016, would allow both programs to pay full scheduled benefits through 2033 — their current combined depletion date. After that, modest increases in revenue can ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security system for generations to come. The Arc strongly supports these types of adjustments to ensure the short- and long-term solvency of the trust funds, so that Social Security can remain a lifeline for people with disabilities and their families for generations.

Social Security – House to Hold Hearing on Social Security’s Representative Payee Program

On June 5^th the House Committee on Ways and Means, Social Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Social Security’s representative payee program, focused on management challenges and the Social Security Administration’s plans for the program. At the hearing, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the program, requested by the Committee, will be released. Visit the Committee web site to learn more and for live video on the day of the hearing.
 
 
Announcements
 
Health Care – Health Insurance Marketplaces Likely to Offer More Choices for Individuals

The Obama administration is reporting that people purchasing insurance in the individual market will have more insurance options when the private health insurance marketplaces begin operating later this year. Consumers in every state will have access to a marketplace, but each state can choose how it will operate. In 2014, 17 states (including the District of Columbia), will fully run their own marketplace. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will fully run a marketplace in 19 states. In 15 states, HHS will work with the state to run a Marketplace. 
 
HHS reports that 120 insurance companies have applied to offer insurance in the federally run marketplaces.  There are also 200 applications for proposed plans to operate in multiple states.  In reviewing the current health insurance landscape, the administration found that in 29 states more than 50% of all people with individual insurance are covered by one insurer.   It is hoped that the increased competition will help keep with the costs down.  HHS will be releasing premium information in September, once negotiations with the plans are completed.  The marketplaces will begin enrolling people in October with coverage beginning in January, 2014.
 
Restraint and Seclusion – New Campaign to Keep Students Safe in School

The Arc and numerous advocacy organizations have launched a new campaign called “Stop Hurting Kids” with the goal of getting federal legislation passed to ensure that all students are safe in school. The campaign includes a website where people can sign up for email alerts and action items. The website has a link to a video that features first-person accounts from children and families of the physical and emotional harm suffered after being restrained and secluded in school. There is information on the website about H.R. 1893, Keeping all Students Safe Act. And finally, there are tips about how to use social media to support the campaign to keep all students safe in school.
 
Civil Rights/ADA – The Access Board Advisory Committee on Medical Diagnostic Equipment to Hold Teleconference This Month

The Access Board Advisory Committee on Medical Diagnostic Equipment will hold a teleconference on June 17, 2013 from 1 – 4:30 ET. The Board was charged with developing standards to address accessibility of examination tables, weight scales, mammography equipment, and other diagnostic equipment by the Affordable Care Act. Proposed standards were released by the Board in February 2012. In July 2012, the Board created an advisory committee to help it address issues raised in public comments in response to the proposed rules. During the teleconference, the committee will review its final report. There will be opportunity for public comment during the call. More information is available on the Access Board’s website.