Author Archives: Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care

Neil Trautwein

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Read more about Neil at the NRF.com website.

Mar28

Health care reform & the Supreme Court: day three

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: March 28, 2012
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

The third day of oral arguments at the Supreme Court focused on what happens if part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is declared unconstitutional. Unlike most complex bills enacted by Congress, the ACA lacks a specific “severability clause” or statement that the rest of the law survives if part of it doesn’t. Today the [...]

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Mar27

Health care reform & the Supreme Court: day two

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: March 27, 2012
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

Day two of arguments focused on whether Congress has the power to compel citizens – either through its ability to regulate interstate commerce or through its taxation power – to purchase or carry health insurance, known as the individual mandate. There clearly has been a bipartisan argument to be made for an individual mandate; NRF, [...]

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Mar26

Health care reform & the Supreme Court: day one

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: March 26, 2012
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

The Supreme Court of the United States was the setting for the first of three days of oral arguments on the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The question before the Justices today was whether the 19th Century Anti-Injunction Act (AIA) barred consideration of the case by the lower courts (hence, also the Supreme [...]

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Mar23

PPACA turns two today. Will it reach three?

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: March 23, 2012
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, also known as the Affordable Care Act, or ACA) reaches its second anniversary today.  Will it reach three? There are things already in effect that should be recognized and celebrated.  Congress – under either party’s control — won’t let these fall by the wayside if PPACA somehow [...]

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Feb23

Roundtable discussion focuses on upcoming health care reform law

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: February 23, 2012
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

This morning, NRF hosted Choice & Competition Coalition partners for a roundtable discussion on the looming deadlines and massive requirements of the health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The roundtable featured experts from NRF, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and American Osteopathic Association, and focused on the urgent need for [...]

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Nov16

Weighing the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: November 16, 2011
2 Comments | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

The Supreme Court of the United States will consider questions bearing on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) next year. The Justices will hear a record total of 5 ½ hours of oral arguments by March 2012, with a decision expected by June. Will this decision [...]

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Jul20

IOM’s recommendations – a step away from affordability?

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: July 20, 2011
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

The first step in defining the essential benefits package – the coverage coin of the health care realm for decades ahead (if the new health care law stays in place) – has now been taken. The Institute of Medicine has issued sweeping recommendations on women’s health, particularly preventative and reproductive health. HHS Secretary Sebelius has [...]

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Jun29

U.S. Circuit Court makes wrong – though predictable – health care decision

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: June 29, 2011
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

Today’s decision by a panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the health care law’s individual mandate to purchase insurance was not unexpected. In fact – given the tenor of arguments before that panel – it is kind of a dog-bites-man story. Expansive views of federal power – in this case the [...]

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May12

NRF’s approach on employer mandates: Address from every possible angle

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: May 12, 2011
Be the first to comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

We were pleased to see introduction into the House this week of H.R. 1744, legislation to repeal the “employer mandate penalties” part of PPACA (the health care reform law, formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). This is the House counterpart to Sen. Orrin Hatch’s mandate repeal bill, S. 20, the American [...]

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Apr05

A breath of fresh spring air

By Neil Trautwein, VP, Health Care | Published: April 5, 2011
1 Comment | Posted in Health Care, Public Policy

Today was a very good day in health care policy. The U.S. Senate cleared repeal of the much-hated expanded Form 1099 reporting requirement (passed in health reform). H.R. 4 will now go directly to the President for his expected signature just in time to keep businesses from very expensive and intrusive record keeping requirements.  NRF [...]

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