Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, June 18, 2012

Each state is on pins and needles awaiting the deliberation regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the coming days or weeks. The constant thinking among states during the waiting game is to either hold off major decisions for the judgment, act regardless of the ruling, or fight against what some on Capitol Hill deem an “unconstitutional” law. 

In New Hampshire, they have decided to do the latter. According to Heartland, the House has agreed to a Senate legislature entitled HB 1297 which would prevent state-run exchanges. Some Senators feel that this would prevent the insurance department from talking to federal officials. Others feel that this legislature will help repeal ACA. The bill will be going to the desk of Democratic Governor John Lynch, who supports state-run exchanges. 

In Massachusetts, a state that already has universal healthcare, will have its two largest insurers extend two popular provisions in the ACA even if it is not upheld by the Supreme Court. Insurers will extend young adult coverage to the age of 26. Insurers would also cover an array of services with no copayments which include certain immunizations, screening for diabetes, depression, and breast cancer, according to the Boston Globe. 

In Utah, however, they are taking backseat to the possibility of the legislature being overturn. Utah already has universal healthcare set up for residents but unlike Massachusetts, they have decided not to take any more action until a decision on ACA has been reached according to Kaiser Health News.

In Florida, they are attentive, waiting for the ruling towards the end of the month. But they are stuck between a rock and a hard place regardless of the Supreme Court ruling. In an article written for Rattler News, they describe how if the law is upheld, Florida will have to start the exchange program, identify at least two million people who would be eligible for Medicaid and distribute millions to individuals and businesses. If the law is struck down, that could set off the removal of young adults from the health insurance coverage of their parents. 

This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!