News in brief - April 4, 2005

House panel passes association health plan bill - Health system reform bill offered in House - Medicare expands coverage of carotid artery stenting

House panel passes association health plan bill

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce recently approved legislation that would shift regulation of association health plans from the states to the federal government. The move was lauded by proponents who argue that by allowing AHPs to offer uniform benefit packages across states lines, the bill would let small businesses band together to negotiate better deals with insurers. Opponents counter that AHPs could destabilize the health insurance market.

Health system reform bill offered in House

Reps. Steven LaTourette (R, Ohio) and Marcy Kaptur (D, Ohio) have introduced health system reform legislation that incorporates a comprehensive set of proposals published last year by the American College of Physicians. The bill would allow states to expand existing public programs wholly with federal funds, create health insurance tax credits, establish state purchasing arrangements and give states more flexibility to develop innovative programs for the uninsured.

According to ACP, the plan would make affordable health coverage available to all Americans within seven years. "This bill provides a sensible and bipartisan road map to insuring tens of millions of Americans who are exposed to grave health and financial risks because they do not have access to affordable health insurance," said ACP President Charles K. Francis, MD.

Medicare expands coverage of carotid artery stenting

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expanding coverage of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the carotid artery concurrent with stent placement to patients who are at high risk for carotid endarterectomy.

The national coverage decision applies to high-risk patients with symptomatic narrowing of carotid artery of 70% or more. Medicare also will cover patients who meet the Food and Drug Administration labeled criteria for carotid stents.

CMS is limiting use of carotid stenting to facilities and physicians determined to be competent in performing the evaluation, procedure and follow-up care. The final decision is available online (www.cms.hhs.gov/coverage).