Several states are rushing to establish their respective health insurance exchanges by 2014, according to various news reports.
Under the new healthcare reform law, states are required to set up insurance exchanges that would allow individuals and businesses to shop and compare various health plans. If these exchanges are not implemented by the 2014 deadline, the federal government will require tardy states to implement a federally established exchange.
According to a Star Tribune news report, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is hoping the state will pass a law that would create an exchange funded by taxpayer dollars. "It doesn't mean we're for Obamacare," said Minnesota Chamber President David Olson. "Our bigger paranoia is that we don't want the federal government imposing its will on us. ... We think the best outcome is for us to design this ourselves."
Bills have been introduced to the Minnesota Senate and House, but neither body has scheduled a hearing of the bills, according to the news report. In Oregon, however, The Senate has already passed Senate Bill 99, which would allow a public corporation to set up standards for commercial health plans, according to a Statesman Journal news report.
The proposed public corporation would incorporate seven governor- and Senate-approved board members, including members of the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Consumer and Business Services. "I urge the legislature to quickly approve Senate Bill 99 so we can build a strong health insurance exchange that works for Oregon, rather than wait for the federal government to create one for our state that would meet minimum national standards," said Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Read other coverage about health insurance exchanges:
- Insurance Plans Offered on Health Exchanges Could Carry Significant Deductibles
- Bureau Releases Data to Define Benefits Under Reform Law
- Oklahoma Governor Turns Down $54M From HHS for Insurance Exchange
Under the new healthcare reform law, states are required to set up insurance exchanges that would allow individuals and businesses to shop and compare various health plans. If these exchanges are not implemented by the 2014 deadline, the federal government will require tardy states to implement a federally established exchange.
According to a Star Tribune news report, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is hoping the state will pass a law that would create an exchange funded by taxpayer dollars. "It doesn't mean we're for Obamacare," said Minnesota Chamber President David Olson. "Our bigger paranoia is that we don't want the federal government imposing its will on us. ... We think the best outcome is for us to design this ourselves."
Bills have been introduced to the Minnesota Senate and House, but neither body has scheduled a hearing of the bills, according to the news report. In Oregon, however, The Senate has already passed Senate Bill 99, which would allow a public corporation to set up standards for commercial health plans, according to a Statesman Journal news report.
The proposed public corporation would incorporate seven governor- and Senate-approved board members, including members of the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Consumer and Business Services. "I urge the legislature to quickly approve Senate Bill 99 so we can build a strong health insurance exchange that works for Oregon, rather than wait for the federal government to create one for our state that would meet minimum national standards," said Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Read other coverage about health insurance exchanges:
- Insurance Plans Offered on Health Exchanges Could Carry Significant Deductibles
- Bureau Releases Data to Define Benefits Under Reform Law
- Oklahoma Governor Turns Down $54M From HHS for Insurance Exchange