Calculate Health Care Tax Credit

IRS Releases Form to Help Small Employers Calculate New Health Care Tax Credit, Announces How Tax-Exempts Will Claim Refundable Credit

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The IRS today announced the release of a draft version of the Form 8941 that both small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use to calculate the small business health care tax credit during the 2011 tax season.  The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage or maintain the coverage they currently offer their employees.

While small businesses will include the amount of the credit as part of the general business credit on their tax returns, tax-exempt organizations eligible for the refundable credit will claim the credit on a revised Form 990-T. The revised Form 990-T will enable eligible tax-exempt organizations to claim the tax credit even though they owe no tax on unrelated business income.

Calculate Health Care Tax Credit

IRS Releases Form to Help Small Employers Calculate New Health Care Tax Credit, Announces How Tax-Exempts Will Claim Refundable Credit

---

The IRS today announced the release of a draft version of the Form 8941 that both small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use to calculate the small business health care tax credit during the 2011 tax season.  The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage or maintain the coverage they currently offer their employees.

While small businesses will include the amount of the credit as part of the general business credit on their tax returns, tax-exempt organizations eligible for the refundable credit will claim the credit on a revised Form 990-T. The revised Form 990-T will enable eligible tax-exempt organizations to claim the tax credit even though they owe no tax on unrelated business income.

Funny Video Commercial ~ Smoking Can Damage Your Health!

A good reason to stop smoking!

Benefits of Water

One of the best things you can do for your health and body is to drink water.  Here’s what water will do for you.

 

Life Saving Health Food Tips

Share this video with someone you know that has a terminal condition. Diet is the number one thing that we control with respect to our health.

 

Health Savings Accounts Contribution Limits & IRS Guidelines

 

Maximum Contributions

The 2011 IRS contribution limits are the same as the IRS contribution limits for 2010: $3,050 for single plan coverage and $6,150 for family plan coverage.

2011 IRS Limits
	Single Plan	Family Plan
Minimum Deductible	$1,200	$2,400
Maximum Out-of-pocket	$5,950	$11,900
Maximum Contribution Limit	$3,050	$6,150
Catch-up Contribution (55+)	$1,000	$1,000

Below are the contribution limits for 2010.

2010 IRS Limits
	Single Plan	Family Plan
Minimum Deductible	$1,200	$2,400
Maximum Out-of-pocket	$5,950	$11,900
Maximum Contribution Limit	$3,050	$6,150
Catch-up Contribution (55+)	$1,000	$1,000

HSA-compatible Health Plans

The IRS sets annual requirements for the minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expense for HSA-compatible health plans. Verify with your health plan representative that your health plan is compatible.

Catch-up Contributions 

Individuals age 55 and over can make catch-up contributions directly through Internet Banking or by mailing a personal check.

Excess Contribution Removal

If you exceed the maximum contribution amount for a given year, you can remove the excess funds by your tax filing deadline, typically April 15, without tax penalty. To remove an excess contribution, please complete the Excess Contribution Removal Form and mail it to HSA Bank. 

If excess funds are not removed by your tax filing deadline, you may be subject to tax penalties and/or IRS fees.

Transfer or Rollover Funds to Your HSA

• Unused FSA or HRA funds may be rolled into your HSA on a one-time basis. Please contact your employer for specific details.
• A one-time rollover from an IRA to an HSA is allowed up to the annual HSA contribution maximum. Please contact your tax advisor to discuss the benefits and tax reporting requirements.

s Examples of Prorating
Prorating is required to avoid tax penalties when an individual does not maintain HSA-compatible coverage through December 31st of the following year.

Coverage Type	Coverage Begins	Coverage  Ends	Allowed 2010 Contribution
Individual	1/1/2010	12/31/2010	$3,050
Individual	7/1/2010	12/31/2011	$3,050
Individual	7/1/2010	4/1/2011	$1,525 (6/12 of Max.)
Individual	11/1/2010	11/1/2011	$508 (2/12 of Max.)

Mid-year Coverage 
If your new HSA-compatible coverage begins in July of a given year, you are eligible to contribute the maximum amount for that year provided that you maintain coverage until December 31st of the following year.

Health Plan Status Change 
If you begin the year with family coverage and switch to single coverage in July of that year, you are eligible to contribute half of the family coverage contribution maximum and half of the individual coverage contribution maximum.

FDA: Aseptic Meningitis Risk with Use of Seizure Drug Lamictal

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned that the drug Lamictal (lamotrigine), approved to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, can cause aseptic meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord not caused by bacterial infection.

The agency is working with the drug’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, to update the prescribing information and patient medication guide to include this risk.

Aseptic meningitis has a number of causes including, but not limited to, viruses, toxic agents, some vaccines, autoimmune diseases, and certain medications, including Lamictal. Symptoms can include headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and sensitivity to light. Hospitalization may be required.

In suspected cases of meningitis, the underlying cause should be rapidly diagnosed so that treatment can be promptly initiated. Discontinuation of Lamictal should be considered if no other clear cause of meningitis is identified.

“Aseptic meningitis is a rare but serious side effect of Lamictal use,” said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Patients that experience symptoms should consult their health care professional immediately.”

The FDA became aware of the association between Lamictal and aseptic meningitis through routine adverse event monitoring and communications with the drug’s manufacturer. Since the drug’s approval in December 1994 through November 2009, there were 40 cases of aseptic meningitis identified in patients taking Lamictal. The symptoms were reported to occur within one to 42 days after starting Lamictal. Thirty-five of the 40 patients required hospitalization. In most cases, symptoms ended after Lamictal was discontinued. In 15 cases, symptoms, often more severe, returned when patients restarted the drug.

For more information:

FDA approves ella™ tablets for prescription emergency contraception

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved ella™ (ulipristal acetate) tablets for emergency contraception. The prescription-only product prevents pregnancy when taken orally within 120 hours (five days) after a contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse. It is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive.

ella is a progesterone agonist/antagonist whose likely main effect is to inhibit or delay ovulation. Since May 2009, the prescription product has been available in Europe under the brand name ellaOne.

An FDA Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs discussed ella in June, 2010. The committee unanimously voted that the application for ella provided compelling data on efficacy and sufficient information on safety for the proposed indication of emergency contraception.

The safety and efficacy of ella were demonstrated in two Phase III clinical trials. One study was a prospective, multi-center, open-label, single-arm trial conducted in the United States; the other was a randomized, multi-center, single-blind comparator-controlled trial conducted in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.  

Side effects most frequently observed with ella in the clinical trials include: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, pain/discomfort during menstruation (dysmenorrhea), fatigue, and dizziness. The profile of side effects for ella is similar to that of FDA-approved levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives.

According to the product’s labeling, women with known or suspected pregnancy and women who are breastfeeding should not use ella. A patient package insert also will be provided to ensure that women are fully informed of the benefits and risks involved in the use of ella.

ella is manufactured by Paris-based Laboratoire HRA Pharma. ella will be distributed by Watson Pharma Inc., of Morristown, N.J.

For more information:

• ella Labeling Information

Oral Hygiene

 

Great video on good oral hygiene. (Even if they can’t spell.)

 

Cavity Creeps

Who remembers the Cavity Creeps?

“We make holes in teeth!”

“We make holes in teeth!”

“We make holes in teeth!”

Capitol Update

Capitol Update

Note: Capitol Update will be on hiatus during the Congressional August recess and will resume publication on Sept. 22. 

Here’s a summary of what has been happening in Washington as of Aug. 6, 2010.

Senate Passes Child Nutrition Bill
Led by the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the Senate passed the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010” (S. 3307) by unanimous consent on Aug. 5. The legislation authorizes a $4.5 billion increase over 10 years for school lunches and other nutrition programs. It also gives the Agriculture Department authority to set nutrition standards for foods sold in vending machines and in a la carte lines in schools. Read more about S.3307.

Of the $4.5 billion, the legislation provides $1.2 billion to increase the number of children receiving food, in an effort to meet President Barack Obama’s pledge to end childhood hunger by 2015. The remaining $3.2 billion would be used to improve the quality of school meals. The cost of the legislation is entirely offset. Review the Congressional Budget Office’s budgetary impact report. 

Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee commended Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Lincoln for her work on the bill, noting that it passed both the Agriculture Committee and the full Senate without a single dissenting vote.

The House of Representatives still needs to pass its version of the bill, “The Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act” (H.R. 5504), in order for President Obama to sign the bill before Sept. 30, when many of the programs are set to expire. The House Education and Labor Committee approved the measure on July 15. As previously mentioned in Capitol Update, Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, testified before the committee on July 1 regarding the impact of obesity on public health and children’s well-being, as well as its cost to society. Read Dr. Sanchez’s full testimony. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics also commended the Senate for its action on the legislation and pushed the House to follow the Senate’s lead. “The AAP urges the House to follow the Senate’s swift action on this bill and pass strong child nutrition legislation when Congress reconvenes in September. All children deserve a healthy future, which starts with access to healthy, nutritious meals every day.”  See the American Academy of Pediatrics’ entire statement.

Senators Introduce New Legislation to Increase Transparency and Competition in Insurance Industry
Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced “The Insurance Competition and Transparency Act” (S. 3685) in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Aug 2. The legislation would authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to use its authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act to “investigate and disclose information about practices employed by insurance companies that may reduce competition in the marketplace.” 

The bill goes a step further and explicitly states that since many insurance companies have non-profit status, it would eliminate the exemption under the Act for non-profit insurers. S. 3685 is based on an amendment that was filed by Senators Pryor, Rockefeller and Boxer during the Senate’s health reform debate in December 2009. 

Legislative Action on Medicaid FMAP/Education Funding Sends House Back to D.C.
On Aug. 5, the Senate approved the “Education and Medicaid Funding for States” (H.R. 1586) by a vote of 61 to 39. The legislation enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) and an education jobs fund.

In an effort to provide needed funding for states before the start of the 2010-2011 school year, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called the House of Representatives back to Washington, D.C., after it had already begun its August recess.
Note: The House cleared the measure by a vote of 247-161 on Tuesday, Aug. 10, and President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law shortly after.

The $26.1 billion state-aid package would devote $16 billion to a six-month, phased-down extension of the enhanced Medicaid FMAP and $10 billion toward an education jobs fund. The Medicaid provision would provide states with a higher Medicaid FMAP for six additional months. The increase is set at 3.2 percentage points for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 and 1.2 percentage points for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 (these increases represent a phase-down of the 6.2 percentage point increase that states are receiving under the 2009 economic recovery law).
Republican Maine Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe thwarted the possibility of a Republican filibuster by voting in favor of the measure.

Medical-Dental Connection

It’s important to your overall health to see a dentist regularly.  Here’s the reason why:

Protect your Vacation with Trip Protector

1. Who is eligible to purchase a Trip Protector policy?

   An Eligible Participant:

   • Home Country is the U.S.
   • Be under age 85
   • Be from an Approved State
   • Is traveling outside the U.S. or is traveling at least 100 miles from his/her home and is scheduled to spend at least 24 hours away from his/her home
   • For children under age 6, must be enrolled with a parent
   • Initial purchase must be made in home country prior to departing on trip.
   • Eligible Participants and their Eligible Dependents are the only people qualified to be covered by the Group's Policy.

   The following link describes who is qualified as an Eligible participant or Eligible dependent, as well as information on when and who to enroll and when coverage begins and ends.

    

2. Why should I buy this insurance?

   One thing that's certain is the unpredictability of travel. From sickness (you or even a non-traveling family member), hurricane evacuations, or injury while traveling, HTH's travel insurance protects you - and your trip investment - even before you leave.

    

3. Exactly what does the insurance reimburse?

   HTH coverage is extensive. Here's a shortlist of what's covered: All prepaid, non-refundable trip costs (such as air fare, cruises, tours); emergency medical or dental expenses; medical evacuations; personal effect expenses caused by baggage delay or loss - plus more. Visit TripProtector Benefits or TripProtecto Preferred Benefits for further details.

    

4. Doesn't my medical insurance cover me?

   Most medical insurance restricts or does not cover overseas, including on a cruise ship. Travel insurance covers the many gaps often associated with taking U.S. medical coverage abroad.

    

5. Won't the credit card that I use pay for the trip or the travel supplier reimburse me, if something goes wrong?

   Credit cards don't cover trip cancellation or trip interruption. And travel supplier coverage isn't as comprehensive for trip cancellation, and it typically isn't available for Collision Damage Waivers or for coverage if the supplier falls into bankruptcy.

    

6. What is the major difference between Trip Protector and Trip Protector Preferred?

   Trip Protector has a maximum medical limit of $500,000 and the Preferred option has a maximum of $1,000,000. TripProtector Preferred has higher limits for Baggage Loss, Air Flight Accident and also covers Identity Theft.

    

7. What methods of payment are accepted?

   Premiums can be paid by a major credit card online. If paying by check, please make checks payable to HTH Worldwide Insurance Services and mail to:

   HTH Worldwide
   Attn: Enrollment
   1 Radnor Corporate Center
   Suite 100
   Radnor, PA 19087

    

8. How are medical evacuation decisions made?

   The evacuation benefit pays for a medical evacuation to the nearest hospital, appropriate medical facility or back to the U.S. Transportation must be by the most direct and economical route. All evacuations require written certification by the attending physician that the evacuation is medically necessary and must be approved by HTH.

    

9. Are acts of terrorism covered under this plan?

   Under the medical portion of this plan, Trip Protector does not exclude illnesses or injuries related to a terrorist act. In order to be covered in countries where there are open hostilities, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a member must not be engaged in hostile or combative activities.

   For all other benefits, coverage is provided if a terrorist act occurs in your departure city or in a city which is a scheduled destination of your trip, provided the terrorist act occurs within 7 days of the scheduled departure date.

    

10. How do I access participating medical providers outside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?

    HTH's Global Health and Safety services help members identify, access, and pay for quality healthcare all over the world. This includes a contracted community of elite providers in 180 countries. Members can access these carefully selected providers and arrange for the bills to be sent directly to HTH Worldwide. Please note, a member is responsible for their deductible at time of service, if applicable.

    Direct billing can be requested by calling the assistance telephone number listed on your member ID card, or by emailing globalhealth@hthworldwide.com.

    A claims instruction page is available online and can be accessed by visiting the Trip Protector Claims page. Claim forms are downloadable from this section of the site.

     

11. Will my pre-existing condition be covered under a Trip Protector plan?

    The Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion is waived provided you meet all of the following requirements:

    • the payment for this plan is received prior to/or within 24 hours of your final payment for your Covered Trip; and
    • you are not disabled from travel at the time you make your plan payment; and the booking for the Covered Trip must be the first and only booking for this travel period and destination.

    Pre-existing conditions are automatically covered on the medical portion of this program regardless of when you pay for your trip. An Enrollee must be enrolled in a primary health plan to be eligible for medical benefits

     

12. Does the Trip Protector Plan cover pandemics such as claims resulting from the H1N1 virus?

    There is no pandemic exclusion related to medical coverage. The Trip Proctor plan covers care from physician office visits to hospitalization to prescription drugs to medically necessary medical evaluations. However, there is a general pandemic exclusion related to other benefits such as Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Travel Delay benefits under the plan.

     

13. Do I file medical claims with my primary insurance first?

    Even though Trip Protector is considered secondary medical coverage, eligible medical bills can be paid upfront on a primary basis while outside of the U.S. Inside the U.S., a member should initially claim through their primary insurance, and then submit a secondary claim with HTH.

     

14. I am leaving before my policy materials arrive in the mail. How will I receive the information I need in time?

    Upon a successful purchase, you will receive an email confirmation which contains all your necessary policy information and important contact information for emergencies. Once enrolled, members can instantly log in to the Member Services area of HTH's website and download an electronic ID card and other policy documents.

     

15. I already left on my trip. Can I buy a Trip Protector plan when I am outside the U.S.?

    No. Trip Protector is approved to be sold to customers purchasing from inside the U.S.

     

16. How do I read the fine print?
    • View a sample TripProtector policy
    • View a sample TripProtector Preferred policy

     

Vacationers: Top 10 Reason to Use Trip Protector

FACT:  The cost of any trip may not be refunded in the event of a cancellation due to personal sickness/injury of you or a family member; an act of terrorism, adverse weather conditions and more.

1.  Trip Cancellation covered at 100%.

2.  Trip Interruption covered at 100%.

3.  Pre-existing conditions are covered if plan is purchased within 24 hours if final trip payment.

4.  Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit up to $1,000,000.

5.  Emergency Medical Expense benefit up to $500,000.

6. Baggage Delay reimbursement of $200 if baggage is delayed more than 24 hours.

7.  Travel Delay coverage at $1,000 ($150 daily limit).

8   Coverage for sporting events.

9.  Coverage for an act of terrorism.

10 Access to 24 hour emergency hotline service including: medical and legal referral emergency cash transfer, lost ticket and passport assistance, concierge services, embassy and consular services and lost baggage tracking.

Visit HTH to learn more!

Legislative Update on HealthCare

August 4, 2010

Legislative Update

HHS Clarifies New Open Enrollment Requirements
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has provided clarification regarding the new special open enrollment period required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). Individuals are now eligible to re-enroll for coverage if they had coverage cancelled because they had reached the lifetime dollar maximum of their policies or are dependents under age 26 who had aged off of their parents’ policies.
A notice of the special enrollment opportunity must be provided, the enrollment must be held no later than the first day of the first plan/policy year beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010, and it must be at least 30 days. Eligible individuals are to be treated as HIPAA special enrollees, meaning they have the right to enroll in any of the benefit plans available to similarly situated individuals. The effective date of coverage will be first day of the new plan/policy year. There is no retroactive coverage for the interim period.
We will be providing employers with sample language of a notice they can share with their employees, who will then self-identify if they fall into either of these two categories. The notice will inform them that the lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits no longer applies to them and they are once again eligible for benefits. We also will have a similar statement for dependents.
Please note that this special open enrollment also applies to anyone covered by individual policies and who have reached their lifetime maximum or have aged out.
Preventive Health Benefits under PPACA Outlined
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) benefit coding experts, medical directors and customer service leaders have carefully reviewed the recently released Interim Final Rule for preventive health benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). These benefits will be paid without any cost-sharing (deductibles, copays or coinsurance) when using network providers (100 percent coverage not applicable when using out-of-network providers). Using a combination of procedure codes (which providers use to indicate the services they render) and diagnostic codes for individual patients, we have determined what updates are needed to our claims adjudication systems to comply with PPACA.
At a high level, the following categories of benefits will be preventive and will be paid at 100 percent:

Health education/counseling services

Immunizations

Preventive care

Routine bone density test

Routine breast exam

Routine colonoscopy

Routine colorectal cancer screening – lab

Routine digital rectal exam

Routine gynecological exam

Certain routine lab procedures

Routine mammogram

Routine Pap smear

Routine physical

Routine prostate test

Smoking cessation

Well baby care

Many of these procedures are currently covered benefits in most of our plans (although there are exceptions, particularly in the individual market). The difference will be that these will be paid at 100 percent, while currently they may be subject to deductibles, copays, and/or coinsurance. Therefore, we do not anticipate a significant impact on costs.
While the regulations provided guidance, there are still some issues that are not clear. We anticipate that we will continue to review and revise our claims system logic on some details. However, we have tried to be inclusive in our initial coding, especially because we want to encourage our members to receive the appropriate preventive care.
For those clients (particularly large, ASO accounts) who are requesting additional detail, please work with your BCBSTX account representative for a complete inventory of benefit codes.
Appeals Process Is Being Evaluated with New Interim Rule
Earlier this year, BCBSTX announced that in addition to our already robust appeals process, we will implement a new or enhanced third party appeals process across all our products, as required by PPACA. However, with the release of the new Interim Final Rule, there have been additional questions as to the extent the rules may change our process. We are currently working through an analysis of our processes and what may need to change as a result of the new Interim Final Rule.

Capitol Update on Health Insurance

August 4, 2010
Capitol Update
Here is a summary of what has been happening in Washington, as of July 30, 2010.
Republicans Criticize New Rules for Electronic Health Records Program
During a July 27 hearing, Republican members of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee stated that eligibility requirements for a new federal program designed to encourage health care providers to adopt electronic health records (EHRs) are too stringent. Democratic Subcommittee members and the Obama Administration defended the new requirements.
The EHR program, which was mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), will provide additional Medicare and Medicaid payments to health professionals and hospitals that adopt and make “meaningful use” of certified EHRs beginning in 2011. Health care providers that fail to make “meaningful use” of certified EHRs by 2015 will be subject to Medicare payment penalties. On July 13, the Obama Administration released regulations outlining initial eligibility requirements for the additional Medicare and Medicaid payments.
Republican Subcommittee members, including Representatives John Shimkus (IL) and Michael Burgess (TX), warned that too many health care providers will be unable to meet the eligibility requirements for additional Medicare and Medicaid payments. They also warned that many health care providers will be unable to adopt certified EHRs by 2015.
Dr. David Blumenthal, the Obama Administration’s National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (IT), responded that the EHR program accommodates the challenges facing providers, while appropriately encouraging the adoption of EHRs. He also stated that certain health care providers can qualify for hardship exemptions from the Medicare payment penalties that begin in 2015. Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) expressed support for the new rules, stating that EHRs and other forms of health information technology will play a vital role in the implementation and administration of quality improvement and care coordination programs included in the new health care reform law.
The July 13 regulations are the first in a series of EHR program rules and will apply to additional Medicare and Medicaid payments in 2011 through 2013. The Department of Health & Human Services intends to impose more stringent eligibility requirements in 2014.
House Republicans Request Hearing with New CMS Administrator
Republican members of the Energy and Commerce Committee have asked Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) to hold a hearing with Dr. Donald Berwick, the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). He is expected to play a significant role in the implementation of health care reform. Republicans opposed President Barack Obama’s nomination of Dr. Berwick on the grounds that he may ration patient access to care under Medicare and Medicaid.
Dr. Berwick was given a recess appointment by the president during the Fourth of July congressional recess, in order to temporarily circumvent what was expected to be a contentious Senate confirmation process. As a recess appointee, Dr. Berwick has all the powers of a permanent appointee. However, his appointment will expire in late 2011 per the Constitution, unless he is formally confirmed by the Senate.
Chairman Waxman has not indicated whether he intends to convene a hearing with Dr. Berwick.
Public Health Bills Reported Favorably Out of House Committee
On July 28, eight public health bills were favorably reported by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bills include the following:

• The Dental Emergency Responder Act (H.R. 903)

• The Family Health Care Accessibility Act (H.R. 1745)

• The Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act (H.R. 2923)

• The Emergency Medic Transition (EMT) Act (H.R. 3199)

• The Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act (H.R. 3470)

• The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 5710)

• The Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide (TRAIN) Act of 2010 (H.R. 5756)

• The Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (H.R. 5809)

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) stated that the Committee will work with House leadership to move the bills to the House floor this year. Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) also stated that he intends to mark up additional bills in the Health Subcommittee when Congress returns from its August recess.
Only three of the eight bills reported by the Committee have companion bills in the Senate. The three Senate companion bills are:

• The Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2009 (S. 256). S. 256, passed by the Senate on June 8, 2009.

• The Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2009 (S. 1336)

• The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2010 (S. 3575)

The Senate has yet to take action on S. 1336 and S. 3575. For more information, visit the Energy and Commerce website.
Looking Ahead
The House of Representatives began its August recess on Monday, Aug. 2, while the Senate remains in session until Aug. 6. The Senate is spending the first part of the week on additional funding measures for education and Medicaid. Democratic leaders are also slated to bring an energy package (S.3663) for a vote. Neither of the two measures is expected to reach the 60-vote threshold. The remainder of the week will focus on the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.

HealthCafe

This is our first blog.  It's just a test.