Regional Update from HHS Regional Director Susan Johnson Region 10 - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Dear Colleagues- As you read this, we will be nearly halfway through the second Open Enrollment Period. As a reminder, Open Enrollment ends on February 15, 2015. Over the last year, I’ve visited all of the states in the region. I’ve talked to people whose lives are impacted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and seen the difference it makes in their lives. This holiday season, the most important card any of us can receive is a health insurance card, along with the security and peace of mind that quality, affordable coverage brings with it. We are all just one accident or unexpected diagnosis away from needing health insurance. Yet, for generations, millions of Americans have found that quality coverage is out of reach … until now. Quality health coverage is available, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Marketplaces. Whether you’re renewing your coverage from the last Open Enrollment or signing up for the first time, you may be surprised at what you can find. Open Enrollment runs through February 15, 2015. So give the gift of health insurance and peace of mind to your family. As a reminder, by law you are required to have health insurance unless you qualify for an exemption. For 2015, the penalties increase substantially. Many of you may not have filed your taxes by the time Open Enrollment ends, and may not realize that you owe a tax penalty this year. Take a look at the penalties that will be in place for 2015 which are shown in this newsletter. Go enroll. Tell your family and friends to enroll. You only have until February 15! Have a safe holiday season! Regards, Susan DECEMBER 2014
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Regional Update from HHS Regional Director Susan Johnson
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Regional Update from HHS Regional Director Susan Johnson
Region 10 - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
Dear Colleagues-
As you read this, we will be nearly halfway through the second Open
Enrollment Period. As a reminder, Open Enrollment ends on February
15, 2015. Over the last year, I’ve visited all of the states in the region.
I’ve talked to people whose lives are impacted by the Affordable Care
Act (ACA), and seen the difference it makes in their lives.
This holiday season, the most important card any of us can receive is a
health insurance card, along with the security and peace of mind that
quality, affordable coverage brings with it. We are all just one accident
or unexpected diagnosis away from needing health insurance. Yet, for
generations, millions of Americans have found that quality coverage is
out of reach … until now. Quality health coverage is available, thanks
to the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Marketplaces.
Whether you’re renewing your coverage from the last Open
Enrollment or signing up for the first time, you may be surprised at
what you can find. Open Enrollment runs through February 15, 2015.
So give the gift of health insurance and peace of mind to your family.
As a reminder, by law you are required to have health insurance
unless you qualify for an exemption. For 2015, the penalties increase
substantially. Many of you may not have filed your taxes by the time
Open Enrollment ends, and may not realize that you owe a tax penalty
this year. Take a look at the penalties that will be in place for 2015
which are shown in this newsletter.
Go enroll. Tell your family and friends to enroll. You only have until
Individual Shared Responsibility Provision Under the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision, everyone is required to have minimum essential health coverage
(known as minimum essential coverage) for each month, qualify for an exemption (including members of Federally-
recognized Indian Tribes), or make a payment when filing his or her federal income tax return.
The fee in 2015
If you don’t have coverage in 2015, you’ll pay the higher of these two amounts:
2% of your yearly household income. (Only the amount of income above the tax filing threshold, about $10,000 for
an individual, is used to calculate the penalty.) The maximum penalty is the national average premium for a bronze
plan.
$325 per person for the year ($162.50 per child under 18). The maximum penalty per family using this method is
$975.
The fee for not having coverage in 2014
If you didn’t have coverage in 2014, you’ll pay the higher of these two amounts when you file your 2014 federal tax return:
1% of your yearly household income. (Only the amount of income above the tax filing threshold, about $10,000 for
an individual, is used to calculate the penalty.) The maximum penalty is the national average premium for a bronze
plan.
$95 per person for the year ($47.50 per child under 18). The maximum penalty per family using this method is $285.
The fee after 2015
The penalty increases every year. In 2016 it’s 2.5% of income or $695 per person. After that it's adjusted for inflation.
How Do I Enroll Myself and My Family in Health Insurance? Open Enrollment is November 15, 2014, to February 15, 2015.
While you can get to any state’s site through Healthcare.gov, there may be a more direct way to enroll in your state.
State Health Insurance Website/Contact
Alaska Healthcare.gov (https://www.healthcare.gov/) or call 2-1-1
Idaho Your Health Idaho (http://www.yourhealthidaho.org/)
Washington Washington Healthplanfinder (https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/)
Flu Shots and Other Vaccinations Flu shots and other recommended vaccinations are among the free preventive services offered by Qualified Health Plans sold
on the Health Insurance Marketplaces. Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This
includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes,
or heart disease). Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and
worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-
associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
While you’re in for your flu shot, make sure your other vaccinations are up to date, including your tetanus booster (which
includes pertussis or whooping cough) and your MMR vaccine. Your immunity to these “childhood diseases” wears off over
time and these illnesses can cause serious problems, especially for pregnant women, older people, and those with certain
health conditions. Give yourself a present of continuing health by keeping your vaccines up to date.
Key Dates for the Health Insurance Marketplace Are you ready for the next Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period? Open Enrollment is the time when you can
apply for a new Marketplace plan, keep your current plan, or pick a new one.
4 key dates you should know:
•November 15, 2014. Open Enrollment begins. Apply for, keep, or change your coverage.
•December 15, 2014. If you use HealthCare.gov, enroll by the 15th if you want new coverage that begins on January 1, 2015.
If your plan is changing or you want to change plans, enroll by the 15th to avoid a lapse in coverage. State marketplaces may
choose another date for coverage effective January 1, 2015. (In Idaho, you must enroll by December 20, 2014.)
•December 31, 2014. Coverage ends for 2014 plans. Coverage for 2015 plans can start as soon as January 1st.
•February 15, 2015. This is the last day you can apply for 2015 coverage before the end of Open Enrollment.
To buy Marketplace insurance outside of Open Enrollment, you must qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) because of a
Qualifying Life Event like marriage, birth or adoption of a child, or loss of other health coverage. Watch this video about SEPs
or visit the screener tool to see if you could qualify to enroll outside Open Enrollment.
As a reminder, you can enroll in Medicaid at any time. AIANs can enroll in Marketplace plans at any time and can change plans
as often as once a month.
Recent Events and Visits
HHS Regional Director Susan Johnson; Don Berwick, M.D., former Administrator of CMS; and Sean Kolmer, Governor Kitzhaber’s
Health Policy Advisor discuss the achievements of the Coordinated Care Models at the CCO Summit in Portland on December 3. Photo
courtesy of Jonnaliz Corbett, Oregon Health Authority, Transformation Center.
Moderator, Carol Backstrom, with the National Governors’ Association, Susan Mende with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
Piper Su with The Advisory Board Company, and HHS Regional Director Susan Johnson share views of delivery system innovation
occurring across the United States at the CCO Summit in Portland, December 4. Photo courtesy of Jonnaliz Corbett, Oregon Health
Authority, Transformation Center.
Visiting with the successful Your Health Idaho conversion to a
State Based Marketplace:(L to R) Jody Olson, Director of
Communications, YHI; Susan Johnson, Regional Director, HHS
Region 10; Idaho H&W Director Dick Armstrong; Pat Kelly,
Executive Director, YHI.
Visit to SeaTac CDC Quarantine Station: Pictured Than Lerner,
Quarantine Public Health Officer, and Keysha Ross, Officer-in-
Charge.
December Observances National Impaired Driving Prevention Month President Obama’s Proclamation begins, “All Americans deserve to live long and full lives, and every child should have the
chance to seize his or her future. But throughout our Nation, too many lives are tragically cut short in traffic crashes involving
drunk, drugged, or distracted driving. Impaired driving not only puts the driver at risk -- it threatens the lives of passengers
and all others who share the road, and every year it causes the deaths of thousands of loved ones. This month, and especially
during the holiday season, we dedicate ourselves to driving safely and responsibly, and to promoting these behaviors among
our family and friends.” He later continues, “My Administration is striving to increase awareness of the dangers and
devastating consequences of impaired driving in all its forms, especially the growing, but often overlooked, problem of
drugged driving. Illegal drugs, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications, can be just as deadly on the road as
alcohol, and preventing drugged driving is a public health imperative… Reducing impaired driving and keeping our roadways
safe is everyone's responsibility. Parents and other caring adults can play an important role in educating young Americans
about the dangers of impaired driving; adults can model good practices while driving and can help new drivers develop safe
habits. This holiday season, all Americans can drive responsibly and encourage their loved ones to do the same, including by
designating a sober driver or making alternative transportation arrangements.”
Reminders for the holiday season and beyond:
Designate a sober driver before any festivities
Read medication labels—over the counter and prescription drugs can cause drowsiness or other impairment o Some drugs can interact with each other or alcohol causing impairment o Don’t drive until you know how a new medication affects you
If you are a host, don’t let your guests drive impaired—call a cab, find a sober driver to drive them, or invite your guest to stay and sober up.
o Offer non-alcoholic alternatives for those who choose not to drink.
Safe Toys and Gifts Month This holiday season (and beyond), please consider the following guidelines for choosing safe toys for all ages:
•Inspect all toys before purchasing. The toy should have no sharp edges or points and should be sturdy enough to withstand
impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
•When purchasing toys for children with special needs try to:
o Choose toys that may appeal to different senses such as sound, movement, and texture; o Consider interactive toys to allow the child to play with others; o Think about the size of the toy and the position a child would need to be in to play with it.
•Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check them for age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness
before allowing them to be played with.
•Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American
Society for Testing and Materials standards.
•Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
•Keep kids safe from lead in toys by:
o Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled;
o Being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; o Having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed
to lead. •Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if
ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside
a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.
•Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements
•Do NOT give crayons and markers unless they are labeled “nontoxic”.
Grant Opportunities Evaluating Structural, Economic, Environmental, or Policy Primary Prevention Strategies for Intimate Partner Violence and
Sexual Violence – CDC offers this announcement to support research to rigorously evaluate structural, economic,
environmental, or policy strategies for the primary prevention of intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence (IPV and/or
SV). The proposed research will add to the limited knowledge base on effective strategies for IPV and/or SV prevention by
evaluating the use of community-level approaches that change one or more of the social, economic, behavioral, or
environmental characteristics of a community in order to prevent and reduce rates of IPV and/or SV perpetration,
victimization or both perpetration and victimization. Eligible applicants include: State, County, City or township, or Special
district governments; Independent school districts; Private and Public or State controlled institutions of higher education;
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized and non-recognized); Public housing authorities/Indian housing
authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Nonprofits with or
without a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; For profit organizations; Faith-based or
Community-based Organizations; and Regional Organizations Closing date: March 5, 2015. Read full announcement.
OSERS: OSEP: Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Parent Training and Information Centers
CFDA – Funding is offered by the Department of Education. The purpose of this program is to ensure that parents of children
with disabilities receive training and information to help improve results for their children. Eligible Applicants: Parent
organizations (Alaska and Oregon only in Region 10). Closing date: February 9, 2015. Read full announcement.
American Apprenticeship Initiative - The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL),
announces the availability of approximately $100 million in grant funds for the American Apprenticeship Initiative. This
initiative is intended to provide a catalyst in supporting a uniquely American Apprenticeship system that meets our country’s
particular economic, industry and workforce needs. American Apprenticeships (also referred to as Registered Apprenticeships)
are innovative work-based learning and post-secondary earn-and- learn models that meet national standards for registration
with the U.S. Department of Labor (or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies). To be eligible for consideration,
applications must include a partnership of private and public sector entities. The Department seeks a diversity of partners and
partnership structures to support innovation and seed diverse approaches. To be eligible for consideration, applications must
include at least one entity from: (1) the private sector; i.e. a business, a consortium of businesses, business-related nonprofit
organization, or a private organization functioning as a workforce intermediary for the express purpose of serving the needs of
businesses; and (2) the public sector; i.e. the workforce investment system; public education or training provider; or DOL-
recognized State Apprenticeship Agency. A lead applicant must be a public or non-profit organization. Closing date: April 30,
2015. Read full announcement.
Desalination and Water Purification Research and Development (DWPR) - Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement
(FOA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), is accepting applications for projects
to be funded by the Desalination and Water Purification Research and Development Program (DWPR). Through this program,
Reclamation is forming partnerships with private industry, universities, water utilities, and others to address a broad range of
desalting and water purification needs. Eligible applicants: Individuals, institutions of higher education, commercial or
industrial organizations, private entities, public entities (including state and local), and Indian Tribal Governments. Closing
date: Apr 27, 2015; Phase I applications are due February 16, 2015 by 4:00PM MST. Phase II applications are due April 27,
2015 by 4:00PM MST. Read full announcement.
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program - The primary purpose of these competitively
selected grants is to support planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating assistance for tribal public transit
services. Funds distributed to Indian tribes under the TTP should NOT replace or reduce funds that Indian tribes receive from
States through FTA’s Section 5311 program. Priority consideration will be given to eligible projects that help to expand ladders
of opportunity. Examples could include enhancing access to work, educational, and other training opportunities, and
supporting partnerships that expand access to other governmental, health, medical, education, social, human service, and
transportation providers to improve coordinated delivery of services. Eligible applicants: Federally-recognized Indian tribes or
Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA). Closing date: February 18, 2015. Read full announcement.
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB TRAINING (EWDJT) GRANTS - This notice announces the availability
of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver environmental workforce
development and job training programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with
the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field, with a focus on solid and hazardous waste