Common use of Challenges Clause in Contracts

Challenges. The primary challenges HBEPD has identified in successful, timely implementation of the FFE Partnership are ongoing challenges:  Arkansas’s Legislative process for obtaining approval to spend grant funds once awarded, create and fill staff positions, and secure consulting contracts is part tedious attention to detail and part political. With our recent experience, HBEPD is better prepared to meet the detailed, time-sensitive requirements. We are hopeful that the continuous openness we’ve shown to our legislators throughout our planning process coupled with the able support of the AID Commissioner and the Governor’s office will lead to approval of our requests the first time they are presented to Legislative committees.  Misinformation is being perpetuated by those opposed to ACA throughout Arkansas. Beginning with our recent Town Meetings and continuing with our soon to be implemented outreach and awareness efforts, HBEPD is making a concerted, organized effort to provide concise, accurate information to all Arkansans.  It takes time and valuable resources to bring new staff and/or consultants on board. Learning from our past experience, we are revamping our new employee orientation to deploy when new staff is hired. To minimize the learning curve for consultants, we plan to keep many of the same ones in place to continue the valuable work they are doing.  Arkansas is involved in multiple health system improvement efforts which all place demands on the same staff, agency, and other leaders at a time of limited resources. Interagency coordination and collaboration are intentional and funding through this cooperative agreement will assist in advancing the important work of Arkansas’s FFE Partnership implementation. There are a couple of challenges we have identified that are beyond our control to influence at this point:  There remain many unanswered questions and unissued guidelines from CCIIO/CMS regarding the implementation of the FFE Partnership Model. We will continue to ask for guidance and, when appropriate, suggest solutions for CCIIO/CMS to consider. Of particular concern the lack of information about long-term FFE Partnership fees and financing, the expectations for the federally managed Navigator Program as related to the state-managed IPA Program, and specific points of plan management such as processes and requirements for FFE approval of any state requested QHP criteria beyond federal minimum requirements.  In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, Arkansas has not decided what it plans to do about Medicaid expansion. This raises many questions about what will be available for this at-risk population between 17% and 100% of FPL if Arkansas does not expand its program. There are also questions about churning between the IAP programs and we plan to address churning and related issues through this Level One Funding.

Challenges. The primary challenges HBEPD AHCD has identified in successful, timely implementation of the FFE Partnership SPM are ongoing challengesongoing:  Arkansas’s Legislative process for obtaining approval to spend grant funds once awarded, create and fill staff positions, and secure consulting contracts is part tedious requires much attention to technical detail as well as an awareness and part politicalunderstanding of political situations as they evolve. With our recent experienceAs noted earlier, HBEPD is better prepared we did not receive legislative approval to meet spend the detailedLevel One B funds (awarded September 27, time-sensitive requirements2012) until December 21, 2012. Level One C funding, received April 7, 2013, was approved for spending May 28, 2013. We are hopeful that the continuous openness we’ve shown to our legislators throughout our planning process coupled with the able support of the AID Commissioner and the Governor’s office will lead to approval of our requests in a more timely manner. Also, the first time they are presented Legislature’s approval of the premium assistance Medicaid Expansion model may facilitate future appropriations of grants received for Marketplace operations. We must continue to Legislative committeesbe aware that many in the Legislature oppose any aspect of the ACA.  Misinformation is being perpetuated by those opposed to ACA throughout Arkansas. Beginning with our recent Town Meetings and continuing with our soon Preparing for open enrollment: Plans are expected to be implemented outreach certified by HHS in early September to be sold on the FFM in Arkansas, IPAs must be trained, hired, and awareness effortslicensed as must all categories of assisters, HBEPD and the Outreach and Education campaign funding for the open enrollment period must receive legislative approval to continue.  A lack of information and misinformation about the ACA is making widespread, not only in Arkansas, but nationwide. A major focus of our Outreach and Education campaign is a concerted, organized effort to provide concise, accurate information to all Arkansans.  It takes time and valuable resources to bring new staff and/or consultants on board. Learning from our past experience, we are revamping We have redesigned and expanded our new employee orientation to deploy when new staff is hiredorientation. To minimize the learning curve for consultants, we plan to keep many of the same ones in place to continue the valuable work they are doing.  Arkansas is involved in multiple health system improvement efforts which all place demands on the same staff, agency, and other leaders at a time of limited resources. Interagency coordination and collaboration are intentional and funding through this cooperative agreement will assist in advancing the important work of Arkansas’s FFE Partnership SPM implementation. There are  As a couple state with the third-lowest per capita income, we projected a high percentage of challenges churning between insurance affordability programs and have contracted with Manatt Health Solutions to help design and implement an effective state-specific strategy to decrease churning and promote continuity of care. Xxxxxx’x help was critical in promoting the premium assistance Medicaid Expansion model. However, we have identified that are beyond our control still await final approval from HHS for the Private Option. Then, the challenge will be to influence at this point: make it function smoothly and effectively. Many pieces must come together. But with proper planning, expertise, and hard work, we’re confident of success.  There remain many unanswered questions and unissued guidelines from CCIIO/CMS regarding the implementation of the FFE Partnership ModelHHS. We will continue to ask for guidance and, when appropriate, suggest solutions for CCIIO/CMS to considerconsider as issues arise. Of particular concern We appreciate the lack of information about long-term FFE Partnership fees and financing, thoughtful assistance from CCIIO at a time when the expectations for federal government is trying to coordinate with all 50 states to get the federally managed Navigator Program as related to the state-managed IPA Program, and specific points of plan management such as processes and requirements for FFE approval of any state requested QHP criteria beyond federal minimum requirements.  In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, Arkansas has not decided what it plans to do about Medicaid expansion. This raises many questions about what will be available for this at-risk population between 17% and 100% of FPL if Arkansas does not expand its program. There are also questions about churning between the IAP programs and we plan to address churning and related issues through this Level One FundingMarketplace projects in place.

Challenges. The primary challenges HBEPD has identified in successful, timely implementation of the FFE State Partnership Exchange are ongoing challenges:  • Arkansas’s Legislative process for obtaining approval to spend grant funds once awarded, create and fill staff positions, and secure consulting contracts is part tedious attention to detail and part political. With our recent experienceAs noted earlier, HBEPD is better prepared we did not receive Legislative approval to meet spend the detailedLevel One B funds (awarded September 27, time-sensitive requirements2012) until December 21, 2012. We are hopeful that the continuous openness we’ve shown to our legislators throughout our planning process coupled with the able support of the AID Commissioner and the Governor’s office will lead to approval of our requests in a more timely manner. However, the Arkansas General Assembly that just took office is controlled in both xxxxxxxx by the Republican Party for the first time they since Reconstruction which could actually increase this challenge going forward as many of those legislators are presented to Legislative committeesnot supporters of ACA or the Health Insurance Marketplace.  • Misinformation is being perpetuated throughout Arkansas by those opposed to ACA throughout ArkansasACA. Beginning with A major focus of Phase 1 of our recent Town Meetings Outreach and continuing with our soon to be implemented outreach and awareness efforts, HBEPD Education campaign is making a concerted, organized effort to provide concise, accurate information to all Arkansans.  • It takes time and valuable resources to bring new staff and/or consultants on board. Learning from our past experience, we are revamping We have redesigned and expanded our new employee orientation to deploy when new staff is hired. To minimize the learning curve for consultants, we plan to keep many of the same ones in place to continue the valuable work they are doing.  • Arkansas is involved in multiple health system improvement efforts which all place demands on the same staff, agency, and other leaders at a time of limited resources. Interagency coordination and collaboration are intentional and funding through this cooperative agreement will assist in advancing the important work of Arkansas’s FFE State Partnership Exchange implementation. There are • As a couple state with the third lowest per capita income, we expect a high percentage of challenges we churning between insurance affordability programs and have identified that are beyond our control contracted with Manatt Health Solutions to influence at this point:  help design and implement an effective state-specific strategy to decrease churning and promote continuity of care. • There remain many unanswered questions and unissued guidelines from CCIIO/CMS regarding necessary for effective coordination and monitoring between the implementation of the FFE Partnership Modelfederal Navigator and state IPA programs. We will continue to ask for guidance and, when appropriate, suggest solutions for CCIIO/CMS to consider. Of particular concern the lack of information about long-term FFE Partnership fees and financing, the expectations for the federally managed Navigator Program as related to the state-managed IPA Program, and specific points of plan management such as processes and requirements for FFE approval of any state requested QHP criteria beyond federal minimum requirements.  In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, • Arkansas still has not decided what it plans to do about Medicaid expansion. This raises many questions about what will be available for this at-risk population between 17% and 100% of FPL if Arkansas does not expand its program. There are also questions about churning between the IAP programs and we plan to address churning and related issues through this Level One Funding.

Challenges. The primary challenges HBEPD has identified in successful, timely implementation of the FFE Partnership are ongoing challenges:  • Arkansas’s Legislative process for obtaining approval to spend grant funds once awarded, create and fill staff positions, and secure consulting contracts is part tedious attention to detail and part political. With our recent experience, HBEPD is better prepared to meet the detailed, time-sensitive requirements. We are hopeful that the continuous openness we’ve shown to our legislators throughout our planning process coupled with the able support of the AID Commissioner and the Governor’s office will lead to approval of our requests the first time they are presented to Legislative committees.  • Misinformation is being perpetuated by those opposed to ACA throughout Arkansas. Beginning with our recent Town Meetings and continuing with our soon to be implemented outreach and awareness efforts, HBEPD is making a concerted, organized effort to provide concise, accurate information to all Arkansans.  • It takes time and valuable resources to bring new staff and/or consultants on board. Learning from our past experience, we are revamping our new employee orientation to deploy when new staff is hired. To minimize the learning curve for consultants, we plan to keep many of the same ones in place to continue the valuable work they are doing.  • Arkansas is involved in multiple health system improvement efforts which all place demands on the same staff, agency, and other leaders at a time of limited resources. Interagency coordination and collaboration are intentional and funding through this cooperative agreement will assist in advancing the important work of Arkansas’s FFE Partnership implementation. There are a couple of challenges we have identified that are beyond our control to influence at this point:  • There remain many unanswered questions and unissued guidelines from CCIIO/CMS regarding the implementation of the FFE Partnership Model. We will continue to ask for guidance and, when appropriate, suggest solutions for CCIIO/CMS to consider. Of particular concern the lack of information about long-term FFE Partnership fees and financing, the expectations for the federally managed Navigator Program as related to the state-managed IPA Program, and specific points of plan management such as processes and requirements for FFE approval of any state requested QHP criteria beyond federal minimum requirements.  • In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, Arkansas has not decided what it plans to do about Medicaid expansion. This raises many questions about what will be available for this at-risk population between 17% and 100% of FPL if Arkansas does not expand its program. There are also questions about churning between the IAP programs and we plan to address churning and related issues through this Level One Funding.