Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016
Legislative Progress
Introduced
June 10, 2016
Latest Action
September 19, 2016
Primary Sponsor
Charles W. Boustany Jr.Republican(LA)
Momentum (last 30 days)
0
score
0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
81pct
101d open
vs 6,526 other HR bills in the 114th — cohort avg 56d
Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and other laws to exempt qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) from certain requirements that apply to group health plans. A qualified small employer HRA is offered by employers that have fewer than 50 full-time employees and do not offer group health plans to any of their employees. A qualified small employer HRA must: be provided on the same terms to all eligible employees of the employer; be funded solely by the employer without salary reduction contributions; provide, after an employee provides proof of coverage, for the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses of the employee and family members; and limit annual payments and reimbursements to specified dollar amounts. HRAs that meet these requirements are not considered group health plans and are exempt from various requirements that apply to group health plans, including coverage and cost-sharing requirements. (Under current law, employers that sponsor group health plans that do not meet specified requirements are subject to an excise tax.) Coverage and payments under a qualified HRA are excluded from gross income, unless the employee does not have minimum essential coverage for the month in which the medical care was provided. Employers offering a qualified HRA must notify employees in advance regarding permitted benefits and report benefit information on W-2 forms and to health exchanges. The bill sets forth requirements for determining whether an employee covered under an HRA is also eligible for premium subsidies under PPACA.
These links require the bill number to appear in the filing's source-reported specific issue text. Client expenses and lobbying-firm income are separate disclosure fields.
Filing registrants (36)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 526.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4021-4022)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4021-4022)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5447.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4021-4024)
Mr. Boustany moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 493.
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act, all provisions; Health care reform; Health Care Mandate Penalties; ACA reporting requirements; seasonal employee provisions; H.R. 30, Save American Workers Act; S. 30, Forty Hours is Full Time Act; S. 379, Small Business Tax Credit Accessibility Act; H.R. 928, Repeal the Health Insurance Tax, all provisions; H.R. 863, Simplfying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act, all provisions; H.R. 2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, all provisions; H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act, all provisions; H.R. 2911, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions; S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, all provisions; S. 1697, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions; S.1996, Commonsense Reporting Act of 2015, all provisions; S. 1809, Simplifying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act of 2015, all provisions; H.R. 1624/S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, all provisions; S. 2075, American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015, all provisions; S.1415, Small Business Stability Act, all provisions; H.R. 1029, ACA Provisions; S. 1778, Telemedicine for Medicare Act; H.R. 5447/S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions.
Client expense: $1,640,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152); ACA reporting requirements (6055/6056); employer-sponsored wellness programs; ACA 40 percent excise tax; ERISA; consumer directed health products; H.R. 30/S. 30 - full-time definition; H.R. 928/S. 183 - health insurance tax; H.R. 1189/S. 602 - wellness; H.R. 1270/S. 709 - FSA OTC; H.R. 879/H.R. 2050/S. 2045 - 40 percent excise tax repeal; H.R. 2712/S. 1996 - reporting requirements; tax treatment of employer-sponsored health coverage; H.R. 5447/S. 3060 - HRA; prescription drug pricing; Medicare Secondary Payer; H.R. 34-21st Century Cures Act.
Client expense: $740,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Maritime Commission, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
P.L. 111-148 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Employer responsibility requirements premium and cost sharing subsidies, treatment of excepted benefits P.L. 111-152 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Employer responsibility requirements premium and cost sharing subsidies, treatment of excepted benefits H.R. 3999 FMLA 2014, FMLA Enhancement Act of 2014 H.R.2050/S. 2045 Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015: Provisions repealing the tax on high cost health care plans H.R.2712 Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act of 2015: Provisions reducing employers' requirements to report compliance with the ACA employer responsibility requirement S. 2075: American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015 S. 1697: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act S. 2698: Preserving Consumer Health Accounts Act of 2016: Provisions that exempt health savings accounts S. 2499/H.R. 4469: Health Savings Act of 2016: Provisions that permit expanded use of Health S. 1809, H.R. 863 (STARS Act): Provisions affecting definition of seasonal employment for purposes of ACA employer responsibility H.R. 2911, H.R. 5447: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act H.R. 5458: Veterans TRICARE Choice Act S. 3056: CREATES Act of 2016, prescription drug approvals, provisions H.R. 5445: Healthcare Security Act of 2016 H.R. 879: Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' health plans Act: Provisions repealing the tax on high cost health care plans H.R. 1270: Restoring access to medication and improving health savings act of 2016: provisions H.R. 210: Student worker exemption act: provisions H.R. 5573: PRICED Act: provisions H.R. 5410: Health Coverage state flexibility act of 2016: provisions H.R. 5589: Plan verification & fairness act of 2016: provisions
Client expense: $760,000 · Firm income: Not reported
P.L. 111-148 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Employer responsibility requirements premium and cost sharing subsidies, treatment of excepted benefits P.L. 111-152 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010: Employer responsibility requirements premium and cost sharing subsidies, treatment of excepted benefits H.R. 3999 FMLA 2014, FMLA Enhancement Act of 2014 H.R.2050/S. 2045 Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015: Provisions repealing the tax on high cost health care plans H.R.2712 Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act of 2015: Provisions reducing employers' requirements to report compliance with the ACA employer responsibility requirement S. 2075: American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015 S. 1697: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act S. 2698: Preserving Consumer Health Accounts Act of 2016: Provisions that exempt health savings accounts S. 2499/H.R. 4469: Health Savings Act of 2016: Provisions that permit expanded use of Health S. 1809, H.R. 863 (STARS Act): Provisions affecting definition of seasonal employment for purposes of ACA employer responsibility H.R. 2911, H.R. 5447: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act H.R. 5458: Veterans TRICARE Choice Act S. 3056: CREATES Act of 2016, prescription drug approvals, provisions H.R. 5445: Healthcare Security Act of 2016 H.R. 879: Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' health plans Act: Provisions repealing the tax on high cost health care plans H.R. 1270: Restoring access to medication and improving health savings act of 2016: provisions H.R. 210: Student worker exemption act: provisions H.R. 5573: PRICED Act: provisions H.R. 5410: Health Coverage state flexibility act of 2016: provisions H.R. 5589: Plan verification & fairness act of 2016: provisions
Client expense: $760,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
HR 2911, H.R.5447 and S 1697, S.3060 Small Business Relief Act; to urge elimination of fees on small business health care plans. Medicare Parts B,C,D
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged.
Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 114-634, Part I.
Congress.gov source codes: 5000, H12200
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congress.gov source codes: H11100, H11100-A
Introduced in House
Congress.gov source codes: 1000, Intro-H
| House |
| Markup by |
| June 15, 2016 |
| Energy and Commerce Committee | House | Referred to | June 10, 2016 |
| Education and the Workforce Committee | House | Referred to | June 10, 2016 |
| Ways and Means Committee | House | Referred to | June 10, 2016 |
| June 10, 2016 |
| Republican |
| OH |
| Bill Pascrell, Jr. | Democratic | NJ |
| Brad Ashford | Democratic | NE |
| Cathy McMorris Rodgers | Republican | WA |
| Collin C. Peterson | Democratic | MN |
| Daniel Lipinski | Democratic | IL |
| David G. Reichert | Republican | WA |
| Denny Heck | Democratic | WA |
| Derek Kilmer | Democratic | WA |
| Devin Nunes | Republican | CA |
| Diane Black | Republican | TN |
| Earl Blumenauer | Democratic | OR |
| Eric Swalwell | Democratic | CA |
| Erik Paulsen | Republican | MN |
| George Holding | Republican | NC |
| Jackie Walorski | Republican | IN |
| James B. Renacci | Republican | OH |
| Jason Smith | Republican | MO |
| Jeff Fortenberry | Republican | NE |
| Jim Cooper | Democratic | TN |
| Joe Courtney | Democratic | CT |
| John Abney Culberson | Republican | TX |
| John B. Larson | Democratic | CT |
| Kathleen M. Rice | Democratic | NY |
| Kenny Marchant | Republican | TX |
| Kevin Cramer | Republican | ND |
| Kristi L. Noem | Republican | SD |
| Kurt Schrader | Democratic | OR |
| Kyrsten Sinema | Independent | AZ |
| Linda T. Sánchez | Democratic | CA |
| Lou Barletta | Republican | PA |
| Markwayne Mullin | Republican | OK |
| Martha McSally | Republican | AZ |
| Michael R. Turner | Republican | OH |
| Mike Bishop | Republican | MI |
| Mike Kelly | Republican | PA |
| Mike Pompeo | Republican | KS |
| Mike Thompson | Democratic | CA |
| Norma J. Torres | Democratic | CA |
| Patrick J. Tiberi | Republican | OH |
| Patrick Meehan | Republican | PA |
| Peter J. Roskam | Republican | IL |
| Reid J. Ribble | Republican | WI |
| Richard Hudson | Republican | NC |
| Rick W. Allen | Republican | GA |
| Robert J. Dold | Republican | IL |
| Rod Blum | Republican | IA |
| Ron Kind | Democratic | WI |
| Ryan A. Costello | Republican | PA |
| Scott R. Tipton | Republican | CO |
| Steve Stivers | Republican | OH |
| Suzanne Bonamici | Democratic | OR |
| Tammy Duckworth | Democratic | IL |
| Todd Rokita | Republican | IN |
| Tom Price | Republican | GA |
| Vern Buchanan | Republican | FL |
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Energy, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Energy, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
H.R. 160 - Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015 (Medical Device Tax) H.R. 636 - Americas Small Business Tax Relief Act (Sec. 179) H.R. 1185 - Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee (RAISE) Health Benefits Act of 2015 (Flexible Spending Accounts) H.R. 1842 - Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act of 2015 (Student Loan Tax Deduction) H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Dietary Guidelines; tobacco rider; dental research programs; child nutrition programs; appropriations for IHS, AHRQ, CDC, CMS, HHS, HRSA, NIH/NIDCR, other dental-related agencies) H.R. 2911 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (HRAs) H.R. 5447 - Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 (HRAs) S. 149 - Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act (Medical Device Tax) S. 536 - Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act of 2015 (Student Loan Tax Deduction) S. 1697 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (HRAs) S. 1827 - Small Business Tax Compliance Relief Act of 2015 (Cash accounting) S. 1946 - Tax Relief Extension Act of 2015 (Section 179 tax deduction) S. 3060 - Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 (HRAs) Business Tax Reform
Client expense: $470,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Indian Health Service, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
Access to Capital: SBE Council continues to advocate for reforms and solutions to improve capital formation in the U.S. and access to capital for small businesses. Specific bills include: H.R. 6427, Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act. Supported House passage. H.R. 3784, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Small Business Advocate Act. Supported Senate passage. Regulatory Reform and Modernization: SBE Council continues to voice support for comprehensive reform including streamlining regulations, more openness and transparency in the regulatory process, giving small businesses a meaningful voice in rulemakings, cost-benefit analysis, and looks-backs and sunsetting of regulations. Specific bills include: Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act (H.R. 6094): Supported House passage. H.R. 5982, Midnight Rules Relief Act. Supported House passage. H.R. Regulatory Accountability Act. Continued to push for Senate action and making the bill a priority in the 115th Congress. Overtime regulation: Advocated for changes to limit the impact on small businesses by phasing in increases and making other changes to the final Department of Labor regulation. H.R. 4139, Fostering Innovation Act. Urged Senate action on the House-passed bill. H.R. 4168, Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act. Urged Senate action on this House-passed bill. H.R. 4498, Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act (HALOs Act). Urged Senate action on this House-passed bill. H.R. 4596, Small Business Broadband Deployment Act. Urged Senate action on this House-passed bill. Federal Communications Commission rules on Set-Top-Box: Oppose proposed rulemaking and pushed for changes and a more open process. Tax Reform and Relief: SBE Council continues to engage with Congress and the Administration on the need for tax system overhaul, fairness and simplicity for small businesses. Specific bills and actions include: Section 385 regulatory changes by U.S. Treasury: Expressed concern and opposed hasty changes. New Valuation Rules by the U.S. Treasury on estates. Expressed concerns and opposed changes. Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act (H.R. 6100 and S. 3436): Support both bills. International Trade, Competitiveness and Tariff Relief, Intellectual Property: SBE Council continues to voice support for trade agreements and efforts to improve and simplify exporting for small businesses, and strengthening IP protections. Affordable Health Coverage and ACA Reform: SBE Council continues to support multiple efforts to fully reform the Affordable Care Act and replace with market-based alternatives and solutions that produce competition and lower costs for small businesses. Specific bills include: Fixing Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) to make sure small businesses can use the accounts without being unduly punished through harsh financial penalties. The fix was included within the 21st Century Cures Act, and SBE Council supported House and Senate passage of the full act. Original bills were H.R. 5447 and S. 3060. Privacy and Cybersecurity: Improving Small Business Cybersecurity Act (S.3024): Supported Senate bill and passage OTHER: Postal Rates Submitted Comments to the Postal Regulatory Commission opposing the rate hike in first class mail. Good Government H.R. 598, Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act. Urged Senate action of this House-passed bill.
Client expense: $30,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Postal Regulatory Commission, SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation
Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to the remodeling industry, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to Department of Labor overtime rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to energy efficiency tax credits, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPA Lead-based Paint rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to OSHA Crystalline Silica rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPAs proposed Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting Program; Lead Test Kit rule (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0780-0001) H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255) H.R. 285, House SAVE Act of 2015. H.R. 5254, Senior Accessible Housing Act. H.R. 5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S.572, Senate SAVE Act of 2015. S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S. 2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. S.2718, Perkins Fund for Equity and Excellence. S. 3271, Workforce Advance Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to the remodeling industry, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to Department of Labor overtime rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to energy efficiency tax credits, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPA Lead-based Paint rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to OSHA Crystalline Silica rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPAs proposed Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting Program; Lead Test Kit rule (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0780-0001) H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255) H.R. 285, House SAVE Act of 2015. H.R. 5254, Senior Accessible Housing Act. H.R. 5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S.572, Senate SAVE Act of 2015. S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S. 2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. S.2718, Perkins Fund for Equity and Excellence. S. 3271, Workforce Advance Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to the remodeling industry, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to Department of Labor overtime rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to energy efficiency tax credits, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPA Lead-based Paint rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to OSHA Crystalline Silica rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPAs proposed Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting Program; Lead Test Kit rule (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0780-0001) H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255) H.R. 285, House SAVE Act of 2015. H.R. 5254, Senior Accessible Housing Act. H.R. 5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S.572, Senate SAVE Act of 2015. S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S. 2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. S.2718, Perkins Fund for Equity and Excellence. S. 3271, Workforce Advance Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation
Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to the remodeling industry, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to Department of Labor overtime rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to energy efficiency tax credits, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPA Lead-based Paint rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to OSHA Crystalline Silica rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPAs proposed Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting Program; Lead Test Kit rule (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0780-0001) H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act (P.L. 114-255) H.R. 285, House SAVE Act of 2015. H.R. 5254, Senior Accessible Housing Act. H.R. 5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S.572, Senate SAVE Act of 2015. S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S. 2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. S.2718, Perkins Fund for Equity and Excellence. S. 3271, Workforce Advance Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Issues related to employer sponsored insurance; issues related to H.R. 5447, The Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,750
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
OSHA Fall Protection, Davis-Bacon, Employee Misclassification, NLRB and DOL proposed rules on union elections, micro-unions and persuader activity, proposals related to DOL overtime rules, proposals related to NLRB joint employer liability, proposals related to association health plans, policies related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including the employer mandate, Shared Responsibility Rules and the implementation of the small business exchanges, OSHA Crystalline Silica Rulemaking, proposals related to EE0-1 form. HR. 1624: Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, Amendment 665 to S. Con Res. 11: To establish a spending-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting awarding of construction contracts based on awardees entering or not entering into agreements with labor organizations, H.R. 30: Save American Workers Act of 2015, H.R. 2911: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act, H.R. 1768: Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act, H.R. 1767: Employee Privacy Protection Act, H.R. 1624: Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, H.R. 2868: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2015, S. 1697: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act, S. 1099: PACE Act, H.R. 3459: Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act, H.R. 6094: Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, H.R. 5813: Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act, S. 3464: Overtime Reform and Review Act, S. 2015: Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act, S. 2707, H.R. 4773: Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act. H.R. 5447/S. 3060: Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016, S. 2827: Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act of 2016, S. 2693: EEOC Reform Act, H.J.Res. 87: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Department of Labor relating to Interpretation of the Advice Exemption in Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, S.J.Res. 35: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Department of Labor relating to Interpretation of the Advice Exemption in Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.
Client expense: $1,910,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), General Services Administration (GSA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act (Upton) - qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements H.R. 879, Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans Health Plans Act (Guinta) - repeal of ACA excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored coverage H.R. 928 (Boustany-Sinema) - full repeal of ACA health insurance tax H.R. 1270, Restoring Access to Medication and Improving Health Savings Act (Jenkins) - HSA, FSA, and other tax-related issues H.R. 2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (Courtney) - repeal of ACA excise tax on high-cost coverage H.R. 4469, Health Savings Act (Paulsen) - HSA and FSA issues H.R. 4723, Recovering Improper Subsidy Overpayments Act (Jenkins) - full recovery of overpayments of ACA premium tax credits H.R. 5324, Health Savings Account Expansion Act (Brat) - HSA issues H.R. 5445, Health Care Security Act (Paulsen) - HSA issues H.R. 5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act (Boustany) -- excluding HRAs from definition of group health plan H.R. 5652, Access to Better Care Act (Black) - HSA/HDHP issue S. 183, Jobs and Premium Protection Act (Barrasso) - full repeal of ACA health insurance tax S. 254, Small Business Health Relief Act (Portman) - full repeal of ACA health insurance tax, HSA and FSA issues S. 709, Restoring Access to Medication Act (Roberts) - HSA and FSA issues S. 879, Americans Giving Care to Elders Act (Klobuchar) - tax credits for family caregivers S. 2045, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (Heller-Heinrich) - repeal of ACA excise tax on high-cost coverage S. 2075, American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act (Brown) - repeal of ACA excise tax on high-cost coverage S. 2432, Obamacare Tax Transparency Act (Scott) - disclosure of premium attributable to health insurance tax S. 2499, Health Savings Act (Hatch) - HSA and FSA issues S. 2980, Health Savings Account Expansion Act (Flake) - HSA issues S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act (Grassley) -- excluding HRAs from definition of group health plan Regulatory Issues: Annual insurer provider fees; issues concerning the patient-centered outcomes research fee; employer and individual coverage mandate; W-2 reporting requirements; health reimbursement accounts; deductibility limits for insurer compensation; health insurer and employer reporting of health coverage; issues related to implementation of the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.
Client expense: $1,330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act Issues - ACA Regulations, Postal Reform; Department of Labor Conflict of Interest Rule; HCR Implementation; Health Savings Accounts (HSA's); Re-insurance; Co-ops; Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP); Health Care Bill; Market Stability; Year end priorities; Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR); "Better Way"; Repeal/Replace Modeling: ACA reform; Risk Corridors; Chronic Care; Comprehensive Care; Comprehensive Care and Recovery Act (CARA); Mental Health Reform; Premium Education; Third Party Payment of Premiums; Association Health Plans; SEPs; Grace Periods; Age Bands. HR 928 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Charles Boustany (R-LA) this bill repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that imposes an annual fee on a health insurance provider based on its net premium income. HR 2488 Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015 Introduced May 21,2015 by Keith Rothfus (R-PA) this bill amends title XVII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand and modify enrollment and disenrollment options for Medicare Advantage (MA) eligible individuals. Specifically, the bill extends the annual period in which an individual enrolled in MA may elect to instead receive benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program as well as elect to change qualified prescription drug coverage. Furthermore, any MA-eligible individual (whether or not enrolled in MA) may once per period change a previous election with respect to receiving benefits through MA or Medicare FFS, including changing from one MA plan to another. Unsolicited marketing during this period is prohibited. HR 3463 Aligning Children's Dental Coverage Act Introduced September 9, 2015 by H. Griffith (R-VA) to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to clarify the treatment of pediatric dental coverage in the individual and group markets outside of Exchanges established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and for other purposes as introduced. HR 3742 Access to Marketplace Insurance Act Introduced October 9, 2015 by Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow for certain third party payments. HR 4275 Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of 2015 Introduced December 16, 2015 by Mike Kelly (R-PA) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate a provision under the Medicare Advantage program that inadvertently penalizes Medicare Advantage plans for providing high quality care to Medicare beneficiaries. HR 5410 Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2016 Introduced June 8, 2016 by Bill Flores (R-TX) to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to better align the grace period required for non-payment of premiums before discontinuing coverage under qualified health plans with such grace periods provided for under State Law. HR 5447 Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 introduced June 21, 2016 by Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) to provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements. HR 5506 Introduced June 15, 2016 by Todd Young (R-IN) to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration program to provide integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease, and for other purposes. HR 5547 Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2016 Introduced by Michael Burgess (R-IN) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for increased price transparency of hospital information and to provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs. HR 5589 Plan Verification and Fairness Act of 2016 Introduced June 28, 2016 by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require verification for eligibility for enrollment during special enrollment periods in PPACA insurance plans, and for other purposes. HR 5904 Tax Payers Before Insurers Act Introduced July 14, 2016 by Mark Walker (R-NC) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deposit certain funds into the general fund of the Treasury in accordance with provisions of Federal law with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Transitional Reinsurance Program. HR 5921 State Age Rating Flexibility Act Introduced July 21, 2016 by Larry Bucshon (R-IN) to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service act to change the permissible age variation in health insurance rates. S. 524 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) overdoses from heroin prescription drugs and opioid pain relievers last year surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death in America, according to the Center for Disease Control. Deaths have reached their highest levels of the 21st Century in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Heroin overdoses have more than tripled in the last five years, an issue receiving outsize attention nationally but especially during the presidential campaign season as New Hampshire has been one of the hardest-hit states. S. 1697 Small Business Healthcare Relief Act Introduced June 25, 2015 by Charles Grassley (R-IA) a bill to provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements to allow small businesses to use pre-tax dollars to assist employees in the purchase of policies in the individual health insurance market and for other purposes. S. 1945 Introduced August 5, 2015 by Bill Cassidy (R-LA) A bill to make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis, and for other purposes.
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R.2646, "Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015", regarding all provisions. S.1945, "Mental Health Reform Act of 2015", regarding all provisions. H.R. 5410, "Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2016", regarding all provisions. H.R. 5659, "ESRD Choice Act of 2016", regarding all provisions. S. 2803, "Taxpayers Before Insurers Act", regarding all provisions. H.R. 5589, "Plan Verification and Fairness Act of 2016", regarding all provisions. H.R. 3742, "Access to Marketplace Insurance Act", regarding all provisions. H.R. 928, "To repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.", regarding all provisions. H.R. 5447, "Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016", regarding all provisions. Issues related to Mental Health Parity. Issues related to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP). Issues related to the Affordable Care Act including Chronic Care Innovations; Payment reform; 2017 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP); ACA Regulations; Co-ops; Implementation; Cyber Security; Open Enrollment; Market Stability; Department of Labor Conflict of Interest Rule; Grace Periods; Special Enrollment Periods.
Client expense: $1,080,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 30, Save American Workers Act of 2015 H.R. 160, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015 H.R. 248, American Job Protection Act H.R. 879, Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' Health Plans Act H.R. 928, To repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act H.R. 1189/S. 620, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act H.R. 1196, Health Savings Act of 2015 H.R. 1270/S. 709, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015 H.R. 2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act of 2015 H.R. 2911, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act H.R. 4469/S.2499, Health Savings Act of 2016 H.R. 5445, Health Care Security Act of 2016 H.R. 5447/S.3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 S. 30, Forty Hours Is Full Time Act of 2015 S. 149, Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act S. 183, Jobs and Premium Protection Act S. 305, American Job Protection Act S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act S. 1697, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act S. 1996, Commonsense Reporting Act of 2015 S. 2045, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 S. 2075, American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015 Proposed Regulation on Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage (78 Fed. Reg. 218-253, January 2, 2013) (to be codified at 26 C.F.R. pts. 1, 54, 301) Proposed Regulation on Information Reporting by Applicable Large Employers on Health Insurance Coverage Offered Under Employer-Sponsored Plans (78 Fed. Reg. 54,996-55,013, September 9, 2013) (to be codified at 26 C.F.R. pt. 301) Proposed Regulation on Information Reporting of Minimum Essential Coverage (78 Fed. Reg. 54,986-54,996, September 9, 2013) (to be codified at 26 C.F.R. pts. 1, 301) Proposed Rule on HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017 (80 Fed. Reg. 75,488-75,588, December 2, 2015) (to be codified at 45 C.F.R. pts. 144, 146, 147 et al.) Proposed rule on Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities (80 Fed. Reg. 54,172-54,221, September 8, 2015) (to be codified at 45 C.F.R. pt. 92) Proposed rule on Expatriate Health Plans, Expatriate Health Plan Issuers, and Qualified Expatriates; Excepted Benefits; Lifetime and Annual Limits; and Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance (81 Fed. Reg. 38,020-38,048, June 10, 2016) IRS Notice on Section 4980I - Excise Tax on High Cost Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage (Notice 2015-16, February 23, 2015) Various issues relating to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), including the employer-sponsored health care system, implementation of regulatory process, provider network adequacy, delivery system reform, health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) changes, IPAB, employer mandate, reporting requirements for issuers and applicable large employers, premium stabilization programs, medical loss ratio, medical malpractice reform, exchanges, the impact on small business, the Small Business Tax Credit, section 1332 waivers, section 1557 on nondiscrimination, caps on compensation deductibility required under section 9014, incompleteness or inaccuracy of cost impact analysis, lack of quantified benefit analysis, and need for empirical data sources on which to base costs and benefits; Public Health Services Act (P.L.78-410), Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (P.L. 93-406), regarding regulatory process and legislative corrections to ERISA preemption, changes to Medicare Advantage and Parts B, C, and D, including rebates and non-interference with prescription drug prices, entitlement reform, health information technology, telemedicine services in Medicare, and coordination and disease management programs; House Republican Taskforce on Health Care report, 'A Better Way to Fix Health Care'
Client expense: $18,590,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Security Council (NSC), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
House Bills H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act - support. H.R. 1671, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. H.R. 3624, the Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act - support. H.R. 4293, the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act - support. H.R. 4294, the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. H.R. 3765, The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - support. H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. H.R. 5447 (H.R. 2911), the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. H.J. Res. 87, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the controversial persuader rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - support. Section 110 to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. Perry Amendment to H.R. 4974, ensuring fair and open competition for federal construction contracts funded by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017 - support. FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. H.R. 5210, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act - support. H.R. 3438, the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists (REVIEW) Act of 2016 - support. H.R. 5523, the Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act - support. H.R. 5813, the Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act - support. Regulatory Accountability Act - support. H.R.5076 - The Main Street Fairness Act - support. H.R. 3765, the ADA Education and Reform Act - support. Section 18001 of HR 34 the 21st Century Cures Act - support. Senate Bills S. 2582, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. S. 2225, the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - support. S. 2707, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. S. 2847Prove It Act of 2016 - support. Hoeven Amendent to amendment to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. S. 2736, the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016 - support. S. 71, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S. 2844, the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) appropriations bill. S. 3060 / S. 1697, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. S. 2736, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. S. 3464, the Overtime Reform and Review Act - support. S. 3462, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act - support. S. 3446, the ADA Education and Reform Act - support. Section 18001 of HR 34 the 21st Century Cures Act - support. Comments December 19, 2016 - Department of the Interior - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Traders with Indians Docket ID: BIA-2016-0007, 81 Fed. Reg. (December 9, 2016) November 22, 2016 - U.S. Department of Labor - RIN 1210-AB63 - Annual Reporting and Disclosure; Proposed Revision of Annual Information Return/Reports November 2, 2016 - Department of the Treasury - Docket No. IRS REG-163113- 02, RIN 1545-BB71; Comments of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Services Proposed Regulations on Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes; Restrictions on Liquidation of an Interest October 28, 2016 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Docket IDs NHTSA-2016-0087; FMCSA-2014-0083 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Speed Limiting Devices; Proposed Rule Other Issues Tax Reform Joint employer standard PN1258 - Merrick Garland nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court Estate tax Speed Limiter Nominations for Secretaries of the Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Client expense: $975,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
Support of the Small Business Health Care Relief Act (HR 5447/S 3060)
Client expense: $124,988 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Energy, Dept of, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Implementation of ACA H.R. 5447, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Insurance
ACA implementation (exchange operations and functionality, risk mitigation programs, risk adjustment) ACA reform (reconciliation, individual mandate, cost sharing reduction subsidies) Reinsurance (Taxpayers Before Insurers Act, S. 2803 and H.R. 5904) Age rating bands in the individual health insurance market (H.R. 5921) ACA Special Enrollment Period verification (H.R. 5589) ACA third party payments (H.R. 3742) ACA grace periods (H.R. 5410) ACA Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters regulations Mental Health and Substance Use (42 CFR Part 2) Health Reimbursement Arrangements (H.R. 5447) Telehealth (S. 2484 and H.R. 4442) Price of prescription drugs Military health care (S. 2943) Clinical decision support tools
Client expense: $1,140,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
ACA implementation (exchange operations and functionality, risk mitigation programs, risk adjustment) ACA reform (reconciliation, individual mandate, cost sharing reduction subsidies) Reinsurance (Taxpayers Before Insurers Act, S. 2803 and H.R. 5904) Age rating bands in the individual health insurance market (H.R. 5921) ACA Special Enrollment Period verification (H.R. 5589) ACA third party payments (H.R. 3742) ACA grace periods (H.R. 5410) ACA Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters regulations Mental Health and Substance Use (42 CFR Part 2) Health Reimbursement Arrangements (H.R. 5447) Telehealth (S. 2484 and H.R. 4442) Price of prescription drugs Military health care (S. 2943) Clinical decision support tools
Client expense: $1,140,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Issues; ACA Regulations; HCR Implementation; Re-insurance; Co-ops; Market Stability; Cost-sharing Reduction (CSR); Better Way; ACA Reform; Risk Corridors; Chronic Care; Mental Health Reform; Premium Education; Third Party Payment of Premiums; SEPs; Grace Periods; Age Bands, Individual Mandate. HR 928 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Charles Boustany (R-LA) This bill repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that imposes an annual fee on a health insurance provider based on its net premium income. HR 2488 Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015 Introduced May 21, 2015 by Keith Rothfus (R-PA) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand and modify enrollment and disenrollment options for Medicare Advantage (MA) eligible individuals. Specifically, the bill extends the annual period in which an individual enrolled in MA may elect to instead receive benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program as well as elect to change qualified prescription drug coverage. Furthermore, any MA-eligible individual (whether or not enrolled in MA) may once per period change a previous election with respect to receiving benefits through MA or Medicare FFS, including changing from one MA plan to another. Unsolicited marketing during this period is prohibited. HR 3463 Aligning Childrens Dental Coverage Act Introduced September 9, 2015 by H. Griffith (R-VA) To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to clarify the treatment of pediatric dental coverage in the individual and group markets outside of Exchanges established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and for other purposes as introduced. HR 3742 Access to Marketplace Insurance Act Introduced October 9, 2015 by Kevin Cramer (R-ND) To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow for certain third party payments. HR 4275 Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of 2015 Introduced December 16, 2015 by Mike Kelly (R-PA) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate a provision under the Medicare Advantage program that inadvertently penalizes Medicare Advantage plans for providing high quality care to Medicare beneficiaries. HR 5410 Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2016 Introduced June 8, 2016 by Bill Flores (R-TX) to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to better align the grace period required for non-payment of premiums before discontinuing coverage under qualified health plans with such grace periods provided for under State law. HR 5447 Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 Introduced June 21, 2016 by Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) To provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements. HR 5589 Plan Verification and Fairness Act of 2016 Introduced June 28, 2016 by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require verification for eligibility for enrollment during special enrollment periods in PPACA insurance plans, and for other purposes. HR 5904 Tax Payers Before Insurers Act Introduced July 14, 2016 by Mark Walker (R-NC) To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deposit certain funds into the general fund of the Treasury in accordance with provisions of Federal law with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Transitional Reinsurance Program
Client expense: $270,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Alternative minimum tax; Cash basis method of accounting; Corporate integration; Deductions for adjusted gross income (certain attorney fees and court costs); Disaster Relief; National Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2015 (H.R. 3110 / S. 1795); Tax Extension Assurance Bill; Education-related provisions; Estates & Trusts; Estate valuation discounts under section 2704 (H.R. 6042, H.R. 6100, and S. 3436); Modify the deadline for estate basis reporting; Allow administrative relief for late portability, inter vivos qualified terminal interest property, and qualified revocable trust elections; Treat consistently all federal tax payments of trusts and estates; Amend section 67(e) to simplify the law and allow estates and nongrantor trusts to fully deduct the cost of complying with fiduciary duties in administering estates and trusts; Exempt from the filing requirement of section 6034(a) trusts with charitable deductions only from flow-through entities; Subject estates, certain qualified revocable trusts, and qualified disability trusts to the income tax and net investment income tax in the same manner as married persons filing separate returns; Require Form 1099 reporting of interest and dividends paid to charitable remainder trusts; Foreign trust withholding credit to U.S. beneficiaries; Modify Form 3520-A due date from March 15th to April 15th; Section 2801 estate tax expatriation guidance; Estate tax closing letters; Estate tax basis consistency reporting; Filing election/tax return 15 months after death; Simplified Form 706 EZ; Surviving spouse elections; Executive Compensation; Section 409A; Excise tax on excess tax-exempt organization executive compensation; Exempt Organizations; Form 990 series; Jeopardizing investments; Unrelated Business Income Tax (name and logo royalties treated as unrelated business taxable income; parity of charitable contribution limitation between trusts and corporations; increased specific deduction; qualified sponsorship payments; dual use facility expense allocation; definition of a patient); Penalties (increase in information return penalties; manager-level accuracy-related penalty on underpayment of unrelated business income tax); Remove the binding contract requirement under section 512(b)(13)(E)(iii); Tax Exempt Entities/Excise Taxes (modification of intermediate sanctions; modification of taxes on self-dealing; excise tax on failure to distribute within five years contribution to donor advised fund; repeal of exception for private operating foundation failure to distribute income; excise tax based on investment income of private colleges and universities); Mandate the electronic filing of the IRS except organization forms, as proposed in the FY 2017 Budget of the US Government and accompanying Treasury Explanations; Supporting organizations; SSNs on EO tax forms; Section 501(r); Form 1023; Group rulings and group filings; Section 1441 foreign equivalency determination; Foreign trusts; Compliance issues continuing monitoring/discussing; Withholding issues with FATCA for foreign trusts and U.S. beneficiaries; Form 3520-A filing deadline; Health insurance deduction; Provide full deductibility of health insurance for small businesses; Identity theft; The Chairman's Mark of A Bill To Prevent Identity Theft And Tax Refund Fraud (JCX-108-15); Identity Theft and Tax Fraud Prevention Act of 2015 (H.R. 3981); Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Prevention Act of 2015 (H.R. 2991); Form W-2 due date acceleration; Identity Theft Mark-up Amendment Related to the Regulation of Tax Return Preparers; IRS Security Summit International Taxation; BEPS - country-by-country reporting; Information reporting for Disregarded Entities with foreign owners; Innovation Box; Inversion guidance under Section 7874; Pending Income Tax Treaties and Protocols; PFIC reporting requirements; Taxation of Foreign Income; Taxation of 529 Plans, ABLE accounts, ROTH IRAs and their foreign equivalents; Voluntary Disclosure and Streamlined Filing Programs for delinquent taxpayers with foreign assets and income; Notice 2016-48, Expiration & Renewal procedures for ITINs; Reporting requirements for foreign accounts held by U.S. taxpayers resident overseas; FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) reporting requirements (RIN 1506-AB26); Tax treatment of retirement plans for taxpayers working overseas; IRS authority over tax return preparers and contingency fees; Taxpayer Protection and Preparer Proficiency Act of 2015 (S. 137); Tax Return Preparer Competency Act of 2015 (H.R. 4141); Tax Return Preparer Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 1609); IRS determination letter program; IRS budget, IRS customer service, IRS Future State; IRS proposed regulations guidance under Section 2801; Kiddie Tax rules; Listed property issues; Removing computer equipment from the definition of listed property; Internet sales and use tax collection; Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015, S. 698; Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015, H.R. 2775; Medical lodging deduction limitation with the allowable business per diem rates; Methods/Periods/Credits; Cost recovery issues/UNICAP (including Sections 168, 179 and 263A); Mischaracterized section 174 expenditures; Modification of Rev. Proc. 2004-34 and Treas. Reg. 1.451-5 concerning the deferral of advance payments; Research credit; Tangible property regulations; Amortization of certain research and experimental expenditures.; Amortization of certain advertising expenditures;Tax treatment of deferred revenue in taxable asset acquisitions; Revenue Procedure 2015-20, de minimis safe harbor limit; Accounting method changes for mischaracterized section 174 expenditures needing a section 481(a) adjustment and audit protection; Section 170 charitable contribution of inventory; Notice 2015-40 Revenue Recognition; Revenue Procedure 2015-40; Section 199; Revenue Procedures 2015-13 and 2015-14 and 2016-29; Modify the enhanced deduction rules for charitable contributions of inventory; Modify the rules for capitalization and inclusion in inventory costs for certain expenses under 263A; Modify the rules for capitalization and inclusion in inventory costs for certain expenses under section 263A; Section 41(h) Treatment of Credit for Qualified Small Businesses; Section 471 cost definition under section 263A; Revenue Procedure 2004-34 advance payments; Accounting for loyalty points and the scope of Treas. Reg. 1.451-4; Mileage rates for business expense, medical expense, moving expense and charitable contribution purposes; Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2015 (H.R. 2315 and S. 386); Multi-State Worker (telecommuter) Tax Fairness Act; Net operating loss deduction; Pass-through Entities; Allow Subchapters K and S to Remain as Separate Subchapters; Retain the Flexibility of the Subchapter K Model (Including Special Allocations and Outside Basis for Partnership Level Debt); Retain the Check-the-Box Rules; Obtain Tax Rate Parity Between Pass-Through Business Entities and C Corporations; Repeal Section 1372: Partnership Rules to Apply for Fringe Benefit Purposes for S Corporations; Make Permanent the Reduced Recognition Period for Built-In Gains for S Corporations; Allow Full Consideration of Net Realized Built-In Loss for S Corporations; Make Remedial Allocations Mandatory for Partnerships with Greater than 5% Nonresident Alien Individuals as Shareholders; Eliminate the Section 751(b) Calculation on Disproportionate Distributions; Oppose Any Proposal for Tax Treatment of "Large" Partnerships as Corporations; Require Mandatory Adjustments to Basis of Partnership Property in Case of Transfer of Partnership Interests and Mandatory Adjustments to Basis of Undistributed Partnership Property; Allow Accumulated Earnings and Profits Withdrawal from S Corporations with Certainty; Reduce Realized Built-In Gains of S Corporations by the Amount of Accrued State Income Tax; Allow Incentive Deductions Permitted by the Internal Revenue Code to Flow Through to Taxpayers Without Basis Limitations; Repeal the Prohibition of Section 179(d)(4) for Estates/Trusts; Alternatively, Allow Pass-Through Entity Allocation and Amortization at the Estate /Trust Level; Charitable Contribution Deduction for Electing Small Business Trusts; Permanent Rule Regarding Basis Adjustment to Stock of S Corporations Making Charitable Contribution of Property; Allow an offset to the built-in gains tax for charitable contribution and foreign tax credit carryforwards from a C year; Add a new 120-day post-termination transition period beginning on the date that a taxpayer files an amended Form 1120S; Allow S corporations to have nonresident aliens as shareholders and potential current beneficiaries of electing small business trusts; Repeal section 1362(d)(3), which terminates an S election due to passive investment income that exceeds a certain threshold, or increase the passive investment income threshold of S corporations under section 1375(a)(2) from 25% to 60%; Extension of time for making S corporation elections; Partnership audits; Allow the transfer of any partnership suspended losses to his/her spouse when spousal transfers under section 1041(a) take place; Clarify that husband and wife partnerships that are recognized under state law are eligible to elect Qualified Joint Venture status under section 761(f); Repeal section 708(b)(1)(B) relating to the technical terminations of partnerships; Retain existing safe harbors for allocation of shared partnership liabilities.; Request for Guidance Regarding Worthless Stock Deductions Under Section 165(g) for S Corporations; Partnership Audit Simplification Act of 2015 (H.R. 2821); Treatment under Section 721(c) of property transfers to partnerships with related foreign partners; Technical corrections to Partnership Audit procedures enacted as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2016; Notice 2016-23, BBA Partnership Audit Regime regulations; Disguised sales rules under Section 707; Allocation of partnership liabilities under Section 752; Management fee waivers; Net Investment Income Tax on disposition of partnership interest; Treatment of partner as an employee for benefit purposes; User Fees Charged for S Corporation Private Letter Ruling Requests; Transfers of Property to Partnerships with Related Foreign Partners and of Certain Interests in Corporations as Stock or Indebtedness (Notice 2015-54); Additional Guidance for AAA Ordering Rules; S Corp Basis Ordering (Section 1367); S Corp guidance on inability to utilize certain suspended passive activity losses upon redemption (Section 469(g)); Update Treas. Reg. 1.1361-5 to reflect the addition of clause (ii) to section 1361(b) (3)(C) made by section 8234 of P.L. 110-28; Issue a revenue ruling incorporating the guidance from PLRs 200308035 and 201017019; Guidance regarding the application of section 302(b)(4) to distributions by an S corporation; Guidance as to when, for AMT purposes, S corporations will have attributes which are different for regular tax and AMT purposes; Provide additional guidance to whether a state tax refund attributable to the S portion of an electing small business trust (ESBT) is allocated to the S portion; Applicability of proposed section 385 regulations to partnerships; Reporting requirements for partnerships under section 6038; Treat the return of an S corporation as the return of any related qualified subchapter S subsidiary for purposes of any relevant period of limitations; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) implementation and related issues; Health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs); The Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (H.R. 5447 / S. 1697); Small business health insurance tax credit; Employer information reporting requirements (Form 1095-C); Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015, Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 (H.R. 2775 / S. 6998); Savings & Investments; Consolidate and simplify the multiple types of tax-favored retirement plans and the rules governing them; Eliminate Certain Nondiscrimination Tests on Employee Pre-tax and Roth Deferrals for 401(k) Plans, Matching Contributions; Eliminate the Top-Heavy Rules; Create a Uniform Rule Regarding the Determination of Basis in Distributions; Create a Uniform Attribution Rule; Create a Uniform Definition of Owners; Change the Required Minimum Distribution Rules During Life and Remove Half-Year Age References; Create Uniform Rules for Early Withdrawal Penalties; Elimination of Income Limits on Contributions to Roth IRAs; Inflation Adjustments for Roth IRA Contributions; Simplify the small business health insurance tax credit under IRC section 45R; Simplify the tax treatment of Roth individual retirement account contributions; SEPs; SIMPLE 401(k)s; Rules Related to Designated Roth Contributions; Repeal the requirement that benefits become fully vested upon a partial termination of a qualified retirement plan; Section 385 Proposed Regulations - Regarding the treatment of certain interests in corporations as stock or indebtedness (REG-108060-15); Small Business Tax Compliance Relief Act of 2015 (S. 1827); Standardize IRC definitions to avoid multiple meanings for the same term; The Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA); Determination of net earnings from self-employment; Equalize the tax treatment between employees and self-employed individuals with respect to the deduction for health insurance costs in determining income subject to OASDI and HI taxes; Tax Reform (General); Principles of Good Tax Policy; Tax extenders (H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016); Permanence of tax legislation; Small business compliance burdens; International tax provisions related to the Tax Reform Act of 2014; Tax administration and compliance; Late and amended Forms 1099 - corrected information reporting safe harbor de minimis and reporting rollover to year of change; Amend the section 6051 reporting requirement to permit truncation of employee social security numbers; Clarification of six-year statute of limitations in case of overstatement of basis; Penalties (definition of tax shelters; significant purpose; reasonable cause exceptions; penalty for failure to file; penalty for failure to file correct information returns and provide payee statements; Form 3520 and 3520-A penalties; late filing penalties under sections 6698 and 6699; Form 5471 penalty relief); Pre-populated returns; Private Debt Collection; Repeal the section 7122(c)(1) requirement to provide a 20% partial payment with a lump-sum offer in compromise; Section 9100 relief (administrative relief for missed statutory elections); Tax Administration Integrity Act (H.R. 3167); Tax rates and definitions; Consistent definitions in the Internal Revenue Code; Deduction for adjusted net capital gain; Elimination of surtaxes; Inflation-adjusting thresholds and amounts; Repeal of phase-ins/phase-outs; Simplified Income Tax Rate Structure; Tax return due dates (Public Law 114-41, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015); Form 3520 change technical correction; Taxpayer Bill of Rights; Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015 (H.R. 1058, S. 949, S. 951); Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015 (H.R. 1828, S. 949); Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2015 (S. 1578); Treasury/IRS Priority Guidance Plan (Notice 2016-26); United States Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) System; Virtual currency (Bitcoin)
Client expense: $1,320,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act, all provisions; Health care reform; Health Care Mandate Penalties; ACA reporting requirements; seasonal employee provisions; H.R. 30, Save American Workers Act; S. 30, Forty Hours is Full Time Act; S. 379, Small Business Tax Credit Accessibility Act; H.R. 928, Repeal the Health Insurance Tax, all provisions; H.R. 863, Simplfying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act, all provisions; H.R. 2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, all provisions; H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act, all provisions; H.R. 2911, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions; S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, all provisions; S. 1697, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions; S.1996, Commonsense Reporting Act of 2015, all provisions; S. 1809, Simplifying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act of 2015, all provisions; H.R. 1624/S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, all provisions; S. 2075, American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015, all provisions; S.1415, Small Business Stability Act, all provisions; H.R. 1029, ACA Provisions; S. 1778, Telemedicine for Medicare Act; H.R. 5447/S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions.
Client expense: $1,640,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Department of Health & Human Services: Implementation of Health insurance exchanges; Implementation of Qualified Health Plans; Delivery system reform. HR 34 - 21st Century Cures Act: To accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of 21st century cures. Upton (R-MI) HR 160 & S 149 - Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices. Paulsen (R-MN) and Hatch (R-UT) HR 248 - American Job Protection Act - repeal the ACA's employer responsibility requirements. Boustany (R-LA) HR 954 - CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt from the individual mandate certain individuals who had coverage under a terminated qualified health plan funded through the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) program. Smith (R-NE) HR 2028 - Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017: Provides continuing appropriations for most federal agencies through the earlier of April 28, 2017, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations legislation. Simpson (R-ID) HR 2050 - Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage. Courtney (D-CT) HR 5447 - Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016: To provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements. Boustany (R-LA) S 123 & HR 221- To repeal the ACA risk corridor program. Rubio (R-FL) & Harris (R-MD) S 157 - To repeal the ACA's Individual mandate, employer responsibility requirements and medical device excise tax. Cassidy (R-LA) S 305 - To repeal the ACA's employer responsibility requirements. Hatch (R-UT) and Alexander (R-TN) S Res 561 - A resolution supporting efforts to increase competition and accountability in the health insurance marketplace, and to extend accessible, quality, affordable health care coverage to every American through the choice of a public insurance plan. Merkley (D-OR) S 2680 - Mental Health Reform Act of 2016: To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide comprehensive mental health reform, and for other purposes. Alexander (R-TN) S 3056 - Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016: To provide for certain causes of action relating to delays of generic drugs and biosimilar biological products. Leahy (D-VT) S 3297 - Relief from Obamacare Mandate Act of 2016: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exemption to the individual mandate to maintain health coverage for certain individuals whose premium has increased by more than 10 percent, and for other purposes. Cotton (R-AR) S 3326 - State Flexibility to Provide Affordable Health Options Act: To give States the authority to provide temporary access to affordable private health insurance options outside of Obamacare exchanges. Alexander (R-TN)
Client expense: $1,450,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
Support and dialogue regarding Small Business Administration funding and access to capital and credit for the self-employed and micro business. Support for reduction of regulatory requirements for small business. Efforts to continue implementation and preservation of favorable small business issues from the prior Small Business Jobs Act. Support for the Small Business Healthcare Tax Relief Act(S. 3060/H.R. 5447)making HRA accounts available for small businesses to fund premiums and qualified health expenses.Support HHS/Labor Appropriations bill and in particular areas addressing regulatory burden. Support for FY 2017 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill for overtime rule and worker classification grants(S. 3040/no House number yet).Support Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act (overtime rule)(H.R. 4773).
Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Support for business deduction on health insurance costs for sole proprietors as included in H.R. 886 and efforts to move legislation forward in this congress. Protection of small business from tax gap proposals. Support for implementation and interpretations encouraging use and understanding of regulations implementing the simplified home office deduction. Support for expanded use of HRA and HSA accounts, as well as regulations allowing use of stand alone HRA's by small business without the ACA benefit restrictions. Support for delayed implementation of HRA penalties. Support reintroduction of the Small Business Relief Act. Support retroactive extenders from 2014 allowing accelerated and increased depreciation. Support more neutral disclosure language in payroll cards. Support tax favored HRA accounts for small business(S. 1697)and H.R. 5447.
Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Support removal of and temporary delay in enforcement of restrictions on stand alone HRA plans which have rendered small business HRA plans noncompliant with ACA requirements. Addressing ACA implementation issues related to small businesses. Support for permanent business deduction for insurance premiums of sole proprietors, including support for legislation. Support flexibility in use of HSA and HRA accounts.(S. 3060/H.R. 5447)(HRA accounts).
Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act Issues: ACA Regulations; Postal Reform; HCR Implementation; Health Savings Accounts (HSAs); Re-insurance; Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP); Health Care Bill; Market Stability; Year-end Priorities; Cost-sharing Reductions (CSR); "Better Way"; Repeal/Replace Modeling; ACA Reform; Risk Corridors; Chronic Care; Comprehensive Care and Recovery Act (CARA); Mental Health Reform; Premium Education; Third Party Payment of Premiums; Association Health Plans; SEPs; Grace Periods; Age Bands. HR 928 Introduced February 1, 2015 by Charles Boustany (R-LA) This bill repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that imposes an annual fee on a health insurance provider based on its net premium income. HR 3742 Access to Marketplace Insurance Act Introduced October 9, 2015 by Kevin Cramer (R-ND) To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow for certain third party payments. HR 5410 Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2016 Introduced June 8, 2016 by Bill Flores (R-TX) to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to better align the grace period required for non-payment of premiums before discontinuing coverage under qualified health plans with such grace periods provided for under State law. HR 5447 Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 Introduced June 21, 2016 by Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) To provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements. HR 5589 Plan Verification and Fairness Act of 2016 Introduced June 28, 2016 by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require verification for eligibility for enrollment during special enrollment periods in PPACA insurance plans, and for other purposes. HR 5904 Tax Payers Before Insurers Act Introduced July 14, 2016 by Mark Walker (R-NC) To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deposit certain funds into the general fund of the Treasury in accordance with provisions of Federal law with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Transitional Reinsurance Program. HR 5921 State Age Rating Flexibility Act Introduced July 21, 2016 by Larry Bucshon (R-IN) To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to change the permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates. S. 524 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Overdoses from heroin, prescription drugs, and opioid pain relievers last year surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Deaths have reached their highest levels of the 21st century in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Heroin overdoses have more than tripled iin the last five years, an issue receiving outsize attention nationally but especially during the presidential campaign season as New Hampshire has been one of the hardest-hit states. S. 1697 Small Business Healthcare Relief Act Introduced June 25, 2015 by Charles Grassley (R-IA) A bill to provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements to allow small businesses to use pre-tax dollars to assist employees in the purchase of policies in the individual health insurance market, and for other purposes.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Support of H.R.2911 & S.1697 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act. Support for Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act of 2015. Support of H.R.1270 & S. 709 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015. H.R.4832 - Health Savings Protection Ac. Support for HR 5447 & S. 3060 - Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. Sec. 18001 in H.R. 34 - 21st Century Cures Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Public Law 111-148: Affordable Care Act. H.R. 928/ S. 183: to repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. H.R. 5447/ S. 3060: Small Business Health Care Relief Act
Client expense: $550,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152); ACA reporting requirements (6055/6056); employer-sponsored wellness programs; ACA 40 percent excise tax; ERISA; consumer directed health products; H.R. 30/S. 30 - full-time definition; H.R. 928/S. 183 - health insurance tax; H.R. 1189/S. 602 - wellness; H.R. 1270/S. 709 - FSA OTC; H.R. 879/H.R. 2050/S. 2045 - 40 percent excise tax repeal; H.R. 2712/S. 1996 - reporting requirements; tax treatment of employer-sponsored health coverage; H.R. 5447/S. 3060 - HRA; prescription drug pricing; Medicare Secondary Payer; H.R. 34-21st Century Cures Act.
Client expense: $730,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Maritime Commission, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 928 - health insurance tax repeal S. 183 - Jobs and Premium Protection Act, health insurance tax repeal H.R. 132/S. 339 - ObamaCare Repeal Act H.R. 221/S. 123 - Obama Taxpayer Bailout Prevention Act, risk corridors H.R. 1624/S. 1099 - Protecting Affordable Coverage For Employees Act S. 524/H.R. 953 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 H.R. 2646 - Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 H.R. 5445 - Healthcare Security Act of 2016 H.R. 5447 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act S. 2803 - Taxpayers Before Insurers Act ***, no specific bill(s), Health Savings Accounts/Medical Saving Accounts, Transparency, Health Information Technology, Electronic Prescribing, Insurance Market Reform, Government Plan Option, Uninsured, Employer Based Health System, Health Care Reform, Small Group Market Reform, Exchanges, Health Care Reform Implementation, Medical Loss Ratios, Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), Delivery System Reform, Risk Corridors and Reinsurance, Affordable Private Health Care, State-Based Regulation, Health Care Quality, Back-end Systems Issues, Telehealth, ACA Implementation, Regional PPOs, Cybersecurity, Co-ops, Speaker's Health Reform Task Force White Paper, Special Enrollment Periods, Grace Periods, Risk Mitigation
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $100,000
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
PL 111-148 - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, implementation ***, no specific bill(s), Health Savings Accounts/Medical Savings Accounts, Transparency, Interoperability, Health Information Technology, Electronic Prescribing, Insurance Market Reform, Uninsured, Employer Based Health System, Health Care Reform, Small Group Market Reform, Exchanges, Health Care Reform Implementation, Medical Loss Ratios, Risk Corridors and Reinsurance, Federal employees and regional PPOs, Cybersecurity, telehealth, Co-ops, special enrollment periods, Speaker's Health Reform White Paper, Risk Mitigation H.R. 928 - health insurance tax repeal S. 183 - Jobs and Premium Protection Act, health insurance tax repeal H.R. 132/S. 339 - ObamaCare Repeal Act H.R. 221/S. 123 - Obama Taxpayer Bailout Prevention Act, risk corridors H.R. 1624/S. 1099 - Protecting Affordable Coverage For Employees Act Interoperability H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, health insurance tax delay S. 524/H.R. 953 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 H.R. 2646 - Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 H.R. 5445 - Healthcare Security Act of 2016 H.R. 5447 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act S. 2803 - Taxpayers Before Insurers Act S. 1945 - Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 H.R. 4442/S. 2484 - CONNECT for Health Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $90,000
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 815 and S.1661: Legislation which removes broker commissions from the MLR calculation in the health reform law. H.R. 30 and S. 40: To restore the traditional 40-hour workweek from 30-hours H.R. 762 and S. 379: To increase the eligibility and effectiveness of the small business tax credit H.R. 928 and S.183: Legislation to eliminate the new national premium tax H.R. 588: Legislation to restore the open-enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries to make a one-time plan switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to traditional Medicare for 90 days after the beginning of each calendar year. H.R. 290: the CARES act, which would change the three-day inpatient hospital admission requirement for Medicare beneficiaries who are in need of skilled nursing facility services to also allow hospital stays under observation status to count. H.R. 2: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 H.R. 1624: To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to revise the definition of small employer. Senator Burr, Hatch, and Uptons Patient Choice, Affordability, Responsibility, and Empowerment (CARE) Act which would replace the Affordable Care Act H.R. 876: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a hospital with an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance), whom the hospital classifies for more than 24 hours as an outpatient under observation status or any other similar status, an adequate oral and written notification within 36 hours of that classification. H.R. 1533: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices, and for other purposes. S. 620 and H.R. 1189: The Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act, looks to reaffirm existing law allowing employee wellness programs tied to financial awards H.R. 1547: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal certain limitations on health care benefits enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. H.R. 887: Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2015, Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any patient encounter of an eligible professional occurring at an ambulatory surgical center from being treated as such an encounter in determining whether an eligible professional qualifies as a meaningful electronic health record (EHR) user. H.R. 1570: To provide for greater transparency and information with respect to Federal expenditures under the Medicaid and CHIP programs in the territories of the United States, and for other purposes. S. 254: Small Business Health Relief Act of 2015 H.R. 1270: Repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). S. 884: A bill to improve access to emergency medical services, and for other purposes. S. 836: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal certain limitations on health care benefits enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. S. 839: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend the rural add-on payment in the Medicare home health benefit, and for other purposes. S. 844: A bill to repeal the medical device excise tax, and for other purposes. S. 861: A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to curb waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. H.R. 2712 and S. 1996: Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act of 2015, bill to ease PPACA employer reporting requirements. S. 1099: To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide States with flexibility in determining the size of employers in the small group market. S. 1415: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the definition of large employer for purposes of applying the employer mandate. H.R. 879: This bill repeals, effective for taxable years beginning after 2017, the excise tax on the excess benefit portion of high-cost employer-sponsored health care plans. H.R. 2050: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal, beginning with taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). H.R.2570: Strengthening Medicare Advantage through Innovation and Transparency for Seniors of 2015 H.R. 2911 and S. 1697: To provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements to allow small businesses to use pre-tax dollars to assist employees in the purchase of policies in the individual health insurance market, and for other purposes. House passed budget resolution for upcoming fiscal year S. 2045: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal, beginning with taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). S. 2075: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). The bill expresses the sense of the Senate that the revenue loss resulting from the repeal of such excise tax should be offset by corresponding revenue. -H.R.3762: Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 -H.R.2029: The Omnibus Appropriations bill -2015 Reconciliation bill -H.R. 5447 and S. 3060: Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 -H.R. 3463: Aligning Children's Dental Coverage Act (ACDC) -H.R. 5589: To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require verification for eligibility for enrollment during special enrollment periods in PPACA insurance plans, and for other purposes. -S. 3244: The legislation clarifies that people outside the public Exchanges can have the same choices for dental coverage as people inside the public Exchanges. -H.R. 2488: Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015 -H.R. 6184: legislation that would allow seniors enrolled in COBRA coverage to transition to Medicare Part B without a penalty -H.R 2581: Preservation of Access for Seniors in Medicare Advantage Act of 2015 -H.R.173: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage -S.58: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage. -H.R.246: A bill to repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Client expense: $330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3762, Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act H.R. 592/S. 314, Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act H.R. 954, CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016 H.R. 1190/S. 141, The Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015 H.R. 1192, National Clinical Care Commission Act H.R. 1270, Restoring Access to Medication and Improving Health Savings Act H.R. 1427, Medicare CGM Access Act H.R. 1686/S. 3082, Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act H.R. 1707, Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1726, Access to Quality Diabetes Education Act H.R. 1807, Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2015 H.R. 2102, Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act H.R. 2124/S. 1148, Resident Physician Shortage Act H.R. 2603/S. 1475, Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act H.R. 2646, Helping Families in Mental Crisis Act H.R. 2713/S. 3245, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2016 H.R. 3081/S. 1778, Telemedicine for Medicare Act H.R. 3119/S. 2748, Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act H.R. 3660/S. 3126,Preventive Health Savings Act H.R. 3952/S. 2248, Congenital Heart Future Reauthorization Act of 2015 H.R. 4212/S. 704, Community Based Independence for Seniors Act of 2015 H.R. 4442/S. 2484, CONNECT for Health Act H.R. 4732/S. 2671, Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act H.R. 4774, Training Tomorrows Doctors Today Act H.R. 4909/S. 2943, National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 5273, Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act H.R. 5414, FDA Cross-Center Collaboration Act H.R. 5447/S. 3060, The Small Business Health Care Relief Act H.R. 5652,Access to Better Care Act H.R. 5681/S. 3137, Alzheimers Beneficiary and Caregiver Support Act H.R. 5713, Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and Fair Treatment Act of 2016 H.R.5926 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 H.R. 6043/S. 3335, The Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act of 2016 H.R. 6109/S. 3371, Medicare Affordability and Enrollment Act S. 524, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act S. 586, National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act S. 603, Jobs and Premium Protection Act S. 776,Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act S. 1077,Advancing Breakthrough Medical Devices for Patients Act S. 1101,Medical Electronic Data Technology Enhancement for Consumers Health (MEDTECH) Act S. 1622,FDA Device Accountability Act S. 2511,Improving Health Information Technology Act S. 2680,Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 S. 2864,Reducing Existing Costs Associated with Pharmaceuticals for Seniors Act of 2016 S. 3326,State Flexibility to Provide Affordable Health Options Act S. 3504, Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2016 Pub. L. 111-5, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) Pub. L. 111-148, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Pub. L. 114-10, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Pub. L. 114-255,21st Century Cures Pub. L. 114-270, Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act (ECHO) Pub. L. 114-328, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
Client expense: $150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Health Care Reform - ongoing legislative and regulatory implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), 40 percent Cadillac tax on health benefits Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (spending & extenders) - two year Cadillac tax delay Tax reform - employer sponsored health plan tax incentives House GOP Health Care Reform Task Force FY 2017 Federal Budget Proposal - health care issues, ACA Preserving Employee Wellness Programs - H.R. 1189/S. 620 Ax the Tax on the Middle Class Americans Health Plans Act - H.R. 879 Restoring Access to Medication and Improving Health Savings Act of 2016 -H.R. 1270 Health Care Security Act of 2016 - H.R. 5445 The 21st Century Cures Act - H.R. 34 - Public Law No: 144-255 Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - S. 1697/H.R. 5447 (HRAs) Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 - S. 2045/H.R. 2050 American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015 - S. 2075 Commonsense Reporting & Verification Act - H.R. 2712/S. 1996 Health Savings Act of 2016 - S.2499/H.R. 4469 Health Savings Protection Act - H.R. 4832 Preserving Consumer Health Accounts of 2016 - S. 2698 Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 - H.R. 2646 Mental Health Reform (MHR) Act - S. 2680 Small Business Health Care Relief Act - S. 3060 Access to Better Care Act of 2016 - H.R. 5652 Wellness - Senate Joint Resolution 37 - would formally disapprove and nullify the GINA rule & Senate Joint Resolution 38 - would formally disapprove of and nullify the ADA rule Other Proposed Expatriate Health Plan Regulations (Excepted Benefit Rules) Proposed Form 5500 Changes New Claims Procedures - Disability Benefits (DOL, EBSA) Employer wellness programs - nondiscrimination rules: Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) & Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) - Final regulations Medicare Advantage Program Final Fiduciary Definition/Conflict of Interest Rule State health care requirements affecting self-insured plans
Client expense: $177,146 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Commercial and Residential Energy Improvement Incentives: Rebates, tax credits and deductions for homeowners, building owners, and tenants who make energy efficient improvements or install higher efficiency HVACR equipment. H.R. 5447 & S. 3060- Small Business Health Care Relief Act H.R. 5587- Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act Energy Bill FAA Reauthorization
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
S. 3060/H.R. 5447 - Small Business Health Care Relief Act Health Insurance Tax
Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, President of the U.S., SENATE, Surface Transportation Board (STB)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Issues; ACA Regulations; Postal Reform; Department of Labor Conflict of Interest Rule; HCR Implementation; Health Savings Accounts (HSAs); Re-insurance; Co-ops; Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP); Health Care Bill; Market Stability; Year-end Priorities; Cost-sharing Reduction (CSR); Better Way; Repeal/Replace Modeling; ACA Reform; Risk Corridors; Chronic Care; Comprehensive Care and Recovery Act (CARA); Mental Health Reform; Premium Education; Third Party Payment of Premiums; Association Health Plans; SEPs; Grace Periods; Age Bands. HR 928 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Charles Boustany (R-LA) This bill repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that imposes an annual fee on a health insurance provider based on its net premium income. HR 1934 Cancer Care Payment Reform Act of 2015 Introduced April 22, 2015 by Cathy McMorris Rodgers To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a national Oncology Medical Home Demonstration Project under the Medicare program for the purpose of changing the Medicare payment for cancer care in order to enhance the quality of care and to improve cost efficiency, and for other purposes. HR 2488 Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015 Introduced May 21, 2015 by Keith Rothfus (R-PA) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand and modify enrollment and disenrollment options for Medicare Advantage (MA) eligible individuals. Specifically, the bill extends the annual period in which an individual enrolled in MA may elect to instead receive benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program as well as elect to change qualified prescription drug coverage. Furthermore, any MA-eligible individual (whether or not enrolled in MA) may once per period change a previous election with respect to receiving benefits through MA or Medicare FFS, including changing from one MA plan to another. Unsolicited marketing during this period is prohibited. HR 2646 Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 Introduced May 4, 2015 by Tim Murphy (R-PA) To make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis, and for other purposes. HR 3244 Providing Innovative Care for Complex Cases Demonstration Act of 2015 Introduced July 28, 2015 by Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a pilot program to improve care for the most costly Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries through the use of comprehensive and effective care management while reducing costs to the Federal Government for these beneficiaries, and for other purposes. HR 3463 Aligning Childrens Dental Coverage Act Introduced September 9, 2015 by H. Griffith (R-VA) To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to clarify the treatment of pediatric dental coverage in the individual and group markets outside of Exchanges established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and for other purposes as introduced. HR 3742 Access to Marketplace Insurance Act Introduced October 9, 2015 by Kevin Cramer (R-ND) To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow for certain third party payments. HR 4275 Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of 2015 Introduced December 16, 2015 by Mike Kelly (R-PA) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate a provision under the Medicare Advantage program that inadvertently penalizes Medicare Advantage plans for providing high quality care to Medicare beneficiaries. HR 5273 Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 Introduced May 18, 2016 by Patrick Tiberi (R-OH) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for regulatory relief under the Medicare program for certain providers of services and suppliers and increased transparency in hospital coding and enrollment data, and for other purposes. HR 5410 Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2016 Introduced June 8, 2016 by Bill Flores (R-TX) to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to better align the grace period required for non-payment of premiums before discontinuing coverage under qualified health plans with such grace periods provided for under State law. HR 5447 Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 Introduced June 21, 2016 by Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) To provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements. HR 5506 Introduced June 15, 2016 by Todd Young (R-IN) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration program to provide integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease, and for other purposes. HR 5547 Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2016 Introduced by Michael Burgess (R-IN) To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for increased price transparency of hospital information and to provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs. HR 5589 Plan Verification and Fairness Act of 2016 Introduced June 28, 2016 by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require verification for eligibility for enrollment during special enrollment periods in PPACA insurance plans, and for other purposes. HR 5904 Tax Payers Before Insurers Act Introduced July 14, 2016 by Mark Walker (R-NC) To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deposit certain funds into the general fund of the Treasury in accordance with provisions of Federal law with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Transitional Reinsurance Program. HR 5921 State Age Rating Flexibility Act Introduced July 21, 2016 by Larry Bucshon (R-IN) To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to change the permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates. S. 524 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Overdoses from heroin, prescription drugs, and opioid pain relievers last year surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Deaths have reached their highest levels of the 21st century in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Heroin overdoses have more than tripled in the last five years, an issue receiving outsize attention nationally but especially during the presidential campaign season as New Hampshire has been one of the hardest-hit states. S. 1697 Small Business Healthcare Relief Act Introduced June 25, 2015 by Charles Grassley (R-IA) A bill to provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements to allow small businesses to use pre-tax dollars to assist employees in the purchase of policies in the individual health insurance market, and for other purposes. S. 1945 Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 Introduced August 5, 2015 by Bill Cassidy (R-LA) A bill to make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis, and for other purposes. S. 2713 Introduced March 17, 2016 by Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Advancing Precision Medicine Act of 2016 A bill to provide for the implementation of a Precision Medicine Initiative
Client expense: $2,160,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
S. 3504 - Creating High Quality Results and Outcome Necessary to Improve Chronic Care Act of 2016 - Issues related to palliative care, telemedicine and other issues related to better serving Medicare beneficiaries. PL - 114- 255 - 21st Century Cures Act. Provisions to include help fight against opioid abuse. H.R. 5447 - The Small Business Health Care Relief Act - a bill to permit small employers to pay health reimbursement arrangements to employees who purchase insurance through the individual market place. Understanding how this policy impacts states with state based marketplaces. Opportunities to innovate through CMMI and its demonstrations.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Insurance
H.R. 5447 - The Small Business Health Care Relief Act - a bill to permit small employers to pay health reimbursement arrangements to employees who purchase insurance through the individual market place. Understanding how this policy impacts states with state based marketplaces.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
S. 3504 - Creating High Quality Results and Outcome Necessary to Improve Chronic Care Act of 2016 - Issues related to palliative care, telemedicine and other issues related to better serving Medicare beneficiaries. PL - 114- 255 - 21st Century Cures Act. Provisions to include help fight against opioid abuse. H.R. 5327 - Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, VA and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2017 and Zika Response and Preparedness Act. Issues regarding the funding of opioid related programs. S. 524 - the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act- issues related to ensuring best prescribing practices for opioids in the country and solutions developed by BCBSMA to combat abuse. H.R. 5447 - the Small Business Health Care Relief Act - issues regarding allowing small business owners the option to allow employees to purchase insurance in the individual market and the impact policies would have on state based marketplaces (SBMs) Work on alternative payment models developed by BCBSMA and how they can apply nationally. Issues related to advancing policies to improve end of life care for seriously ill individuals. Issues related to delivery system reform. Issues related to state-based marketplaces. Issues related to Medicare coverage. Issues related to post-enrollment support for newly insured. Issues related to delivery system reform and innovation within the Medicare program. Regulations on civil rights and non discrimination based on section 1557 of the ACA. Issues related to ACA waivers - section 1332 of the law.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
Tax treatment of FSAs, HSAs, and HRAs, and dependent care FSAs. Tax treatment of employer-sponsored health insurance. Excise tax issues. H.R. 5447, The Small Business Health Care Relief Act. H.R. 5445, The Health Security Act of 2016. H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act, including HRA small business relief provision.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
S.775+HR.1423, Self Insurance Act; HR.928, Repeal annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection Act; S.183, Jobs & Premium Protection Act; HR.30, Save American Workers Act; S.30, Forty Hours is Full Time Act; HR.879, Ax the Tax on Middle American Health Plans Act; S.2045+HR.2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act; S.2075, American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act; S.1996+HR.2712, Commonsense Reporting & Verification Act; S.1697+HR.2911, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act; HR.5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act; HR.34, 21st Century Cures Act (Sec.18001, Exception from group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements); House GOP Health Care White paper
Client expense: $110,045 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
HR 2911, H.R.5447 and S 1697, S.3060 Small Business Relief Act; to urge elimination of fees on small business health care plans. Medicare Parts B,C,D
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act, all provisions; Health care reform; Health Care Mandate Penalties; ACA reporting requirements; seasonal employee provisions; H.R. 30, Save American Workers Act; S. 30, Forty Hours is Full Time Act; S. 379, Small Business Tax Credit Accessibility Act; H.R. 928, Repeal the Health Insurance Tax, all provisions; H.R. 863, Simplfying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act, all provisions; H.R. 2050, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, all provisions; H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act, all provisions; H.R. 2911, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions; S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, all provisions; S. 1697, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions; S.1996, Commonsense Reporting Act of 2015, all provisions; S. 1809, Simplifying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act of 2015, all provisions; H.R. 1624/S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, all provisions; S. 2075, American Worker Health Care Tax Relief Act of 2015, all provisions; S.1415, Small Business Stability Act, all provisions; H.R. 1029, ACA Provisions; S. 1778, Telemedicine for Medicare Act; H.R. 5447/S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act, all provisions.
Client expense: $1,760,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Affordable Care Act Issues: Chronic Care Innovations; Payment Reform; 2017 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP); ACA Regulations; Co-ops; Implementation; Market Stability; Department of Labor Conflict of Interest Rule; Grace Periods; Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs); Reinsurance; Risk Corridors; Risk Mitigation; Risk Programs; Premiums; Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) Legislation; Individual Market Reform; Third-Party Payments; Exchanges;; Age Bands. Other Health Care Issues -- Mental Health Reform; End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD); Zika Virus; Postal Reform; Health Savings Accounts HR 928 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Charles Boustany (R-LA) This bill repeals a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that imposes an annual fee on a health insurance provider based on its net premium income. HR 2646 Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 Introduced May 4, 2015 by Tim Murphy (R-PA) To make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis, and for other purposes. HR 3742 Access to Marketplace Insurance Act Introduced October 9, 2015 by Kevin Cramer (R-ND) To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow for certain third party payments. HR 5410 Health Coverage State Flexibility Act of 2016 Introduced June 8, 2016 by Bill Flores (R-TX) to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to better align the grace period required for non-payment of premiums before discontinuing coverage under qualified health plans with such grace periods provided for under State law. HR 5447 Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016 Introduced June 21, 2016 by Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) To provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements for qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements. HR 5506 Introduced June 15, 2016 by Todd Young (R-IN) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration program to provide integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease, and for other purposes. HR 5547 Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2016 Introduced by Michael Burgess (R-IN) To amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for increased price transparency of hospital information and to provide for additional research on consumer information on charges and out-of-pocket costs. HR 5589 Plan Verification and Fairness Act of 2016 Introduced June 28, 2016 by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) To amend Title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require verification for eligibility for enrollment during special enrollment periods in PPACA insurance plans, and for other purposes. H.R. 5904 Tax Payers Before Insurers Act Introduced July 14, 2016 by Mark Walker (R-NC) To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deposit certain funds into the general fund of the Treasury in accordance with provisions of Federal law with regard to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Transitional Reinsurance Program. H.R. 5921 State Age Rating Flexibility Act Introduced July 21, 2016 by Larry Bucshon (R-IN) To amend Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to change the permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates. S. 524 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 Introduced February 12, 2015 by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Overdoses from heroin, prescription drugs, and opioid pain relievers last year surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury-related deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Deaths have reached their highest levels of the 21st century in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Heroin overdoses have more than tripled in the last five years, an issue receiving outsize attention nationally but especially during the presidential campaign season as New Hampshire has been one of the hardest-hit states. S. 1697 Small Business Healthcare Relief Act Introduced June 25, 2015 by Charles Grassley (R-IA) A bill to provide an exception from certain group health plan requirements to allow small businesses to use pre-tax dollars to assist employees in the purchase of policies in the individual health insurance market, and for other purposes. S. 1945 Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 Introduced August 5, 2015 by Bill Cassidy (R-LA) A bill to make available needed psychiatric, psychological, and supportive services for individuals with mental illness and families in mental health crisis, and for other purposes. S. 2713 Introduced March 17, 2016 by Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Advancing Precision Medicine Act of 2016 A bill to provide for the implementation of a Precision Medicine Initiative.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Small Business
Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to the remodeling industry, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to Department of Labor overtime rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to energy efficiency tax credits, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPA Lead-based Paint rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to OSHA Crystalline Silica rules, and congressional and administrative outreach regarding same. Monitor federal, legislative, and regulatory activity related to EPAs proposed Lead; Renovation, Repair and Painting Program; Lead Test Kit rule (Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-0780-0001) H.R. 5254, Senior Accessible Housing Act. H.R. 5447, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S. 3060, Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016. S. 2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015. S.2718, Perkins Fund for Equity and Excellence. Draft, House SAVE Act. Draft, Senate SAVE Act.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE