Summer 2008 Advocacy Report
Submitted by Kisa Carter, HFA Public Policy Director

The following are a few significant public policy issues impacting the bleeding disorders community:

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) - Public Law 110-233
GINA was signed into law by the President on May 21, 2008.  Public Law 110-233 provides protection against genetic information discrimination in employment settings and health insurance coverage.   

Ryan Dant Health Care Opportunities Act 2008 - H.R. 5748  Introduced by Congressman Marchant, this bill will allow Medicaid beneficiaries with extremely high drug costs the ability to work without earning restrictions. This legislation applies only to those individuals who pay more than $250,000 per year in prescription drug costs and have exhausted at least $1 million in private insurance coverage. 

Health Insurance Coverage Protection Act - S. 2706  Introduced by Senator Dorgan on March 5, 2008, the purpose of this bill is to address lifetime caps on health insurance benefits. S.2706 will raise the cap on private group health insurance plans in phases. The bill stipulates the minimum level will be raised to $5 million for two years and $10 million in year three and four. The bill provides for annual adjustments to a group insurance plan’s lifetime cap based on the consumer price index in subsequent years.

Medigap Access Improvement Act – H.R. 1282  H.R. 1282 was introduced by Representative English on March 1, 2007. As of March 2008, the bill has gained 49 co-sponsors. The bill amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act which makes Medicare supplemental policies available to disabled and renal disease Medicare beneficiaries. HFA is actively involved in the Medigap Coalition and continues to support efforts to ensure H.R. 1282 is passed. A recent study completed by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) on March 12, 2008 addresses the impact of Medigap coverage on Medicare costs. The recent AHIP study challenges past studies that claim an increase in costs due to Medigap coverage.

For additional information on HFA public policy initiatives at the federal or state level please contact Kisa Carter at k.carter@hemophiliafed.org for assistance.