October 2010 Reform Matters Conference Call Materials

CONFERENCE CALL AGENDA
Hosted by the National Women’s Law Center
October 14, 2010
1pm EST

1. Welcome & Topic Introduction

• Lisa Codispoti, National Women’s Law Center

2. Engaging in Implementation of the Health Care Law at the State Level. 
As we’ve previously discussed, the new health care law gives states a role in implementing the new health care law – and many states are off and running, having recently received the first round of planning grants from HHS.  Hear from women’s advocates about what is going on in their states, and how they are engaging with their state policy makers to ensure that the new health care law meets the needs of women.  We’ll be joined by:

• Olivia Riutta and Terry Kendrick, Montana Women Vote
• Leni Preston, Maryland Women’s Coalition for Health Reform
• Sara Finger, Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health
• Giovanna Rossi Pressley, New Mexico Office of the Governor's Council on Women's Health and New Mexico Women's Health Policy Advisor

3. What is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners?  And why do they play such a big role in implementing the new health care law? 
The new health care law specifically calls on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to make specific recommendations regarding implementation of key provisions of the new law.    Given the role that NAIC plays in implementation means that we need to be in touch with our state insurance commissioners not just about our states, but the important policy recommendations that NAIC will be making.  Fortunately, there are several consumer representatives that participate in the NAIC process.  We will be joined by an NAIC Consumer Representative to learn about the NAIC, the role of consumer reps, and how we can all make a difference in this process.

• Georgia Maheras, Health Care for All Massachusetts, and Consumer Representative to NAIC

4. Updates, announcements, future calls:
Thursday, November 11, 2010 1pm EST.   

• Topic:  California Blazes a Trail - the first state passing legislation to implement the new health care law.  We’ll continue our conversation about implementing the new health care law at the state level.  California recently became the first state to pass legislation implementing the new health care law.  Hear from advocates about what the big debates were – where the insurance industry pushed against the bill, and what we can learn from their experience.

To register for upcoming conference calls: http://action.nwlc.org/healthcarereform

To suggest future agenda topics, or make an announcement on a call, please contact us at reformmatters@nwlc.org

Materials from the Call

Maryland

• Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform
• Health Care Reform Coordinating Council

Montana

• Montana Women Vote

New Mexico

• New Mexico Governor's Women's Health Office
• Health Care Reform Working Group
• National Health Care Reform Library of Facts, Articles and Opportunities

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health
• Affordable Care Act 101Guide
• Affordable Care Act 101: The Basics
• Wisconsin Office of Health Care Reform

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

• NAIC Funded Consumer Participation Representatives

Document(s):

Maryland Wins with Health Care Reform

What Health Care Reform Means to Maryland