In This Issue:

Leading the News; Implementation of the Affordable Care Act; Other HHS and Federal Regulatory Initiatives; Other Congressional and State Initiatives; Other Health Care News; and Hearings and Mark-Ups Scheduled.

Excerpt from Leading the News -

Lawmakers Oppose Health Insurance Subsidies for Members of Congress and Staff:

On August 27th, Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and David Vitter (R-LA) announced that they will introduce legislation to reverse a decision made by the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) that the government can continue to make an employer contribution to health plans of congressional members and staff purchased through state exchanges. On August 28th, Representative Tom Cotton (R-AR) sent letters to President Obama and OPM Acting Director Elaine Kaplan to express his opposition to the OPM decision, saying the Affordable Care Act (ACA). does not provide OPM the authority to pay subsidies for Members of Congress and their staff and asked for the exemption to be withdrawn. The same day, Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) also sent a letter to Kaplan to criticize OPM’s decision, stating that it created uncertainty as to whether or not Members of Congress and their staff must enter into the healthcare exchanges and asking OPM to clarify the issue.