January 27, 2016

2016 Health Care Policy Calendar

JANUARY

1 – Employer mandate went into effect for employers with 50 to 99 full-time workers; Next Generation ACO program began

12 – HELP executive session on FDA commissioner nominee, Robert Califf

15 – Last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start February 1

19 – CBO January baseline summary released

20 – HELP hearing on mental health

21 – Finance hearing on co-ops with CMS acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt

22 – March for Life

25 – CBO January baseline released

26 – Finance chronic care policy options comments due

27 – Judiciary hearing on heroin and prescription drug abuse

28 – HELP hearing on generic drug user fee amendments

31 – Obamacare open enrollment for 2016 ends

FEBRUARY

Obamacare repeal veto override vote in the House

3 – Indian Affairs oversight hearing on Indian health care in the Great Plains

9 – President’s fiscal year 2017 budget to be released; HELP to hold first executive session considering biomedical innovation bills

10 – Treasury Secretary Lew and IRS Commissioner Koskinen to testify before Finance (two hearings) on president’s budget

11 – HHS Secretary Burwell to testify before Finance on president’s budget

19 – Medicare Advantage and Part D advance rate notice

MARCH

MedPAC and MACPAC report to Congress

3 (tentative) – Secretary Burwell to testify on HHS budget before Appropriations

4 (tentative) – Comments due on MA rate notice

9 – HELP to hold second executive session considering biomedical innovation bills

23 – Obamacare 6th anniversary

APRIL

1 – Mandatory Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model begins

4 – MA final rate notice

6 – HELP to hold third and final executive session considering biomedical innovation bills

18 – Tax day, with higher Obamacare penalties

Spring/Summer – Medicare Trustees report to be released

 

JUNE

MedPAC and MACPAC report to Congress

SEPTEMBER

30 – Fiscal year 2016 omnibus funding expires

OCTOBER

1 – End of White House transition policy for individual/small group health plans that don’t meet ACA standards

NOVEMBER

1 (tentative) – Obamacare open enrollment for 2017 begins

Date not yet announced: SCOTUS Oral arguments on Zubik v Burwell (Little Sisters of the Poor case)

Issue Tag: Health Care