While President Obama's re-election may have solidified the Affordable Care Act as the law of the land, Americans are still split on some of the key provisions. On Election Day, voters in Alabama, Wyoming, and Montana approved ballot measures nullifying the federal mandate that individuals obtain health insurance.
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Those states join four others whose voters approved similar measures in 2010 and 2011. But the rejection of the ACA's individual insurance mandate is largely symbolic since states can't supercede federal law.
But that doesn't mean the ACA won't undergo some changes. Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said the law could be modified to limit Medicaid expansion and health insurance subsidies. And the Independent Payment Advisory Board could be on the chopping block.
Meanwhile, physicians face a 26.5% cut to their Medicare pay, unless Congress acts before Dec. 31. While Congress had historically acted to avert the cut, lawmakers will be primarily focused on addressing the so-called fiscal cliff. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Tex.) said that means a permanent fix is unlikely this year and physicians should expect another temporary SGR patch.
For more election details, listen to this week's Policy & Practice Podcast.
--Frances Correa (@FMCReporting)