Health Insurance Exchange Update: Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The news surrounding the health care and the President’s universal health care law remains the same as the Justices wait to release their decision. The month of June is coming to an end and whichever way the justices go there will be a mixture of emotions ranging from outrage and satisfaction to content and indifference. 

Nonetheless, Governors, and advocates alike are still voicing their opinion before the ruling is heard.

In Missouri, representatives are ready to put to vote a bill that would prevent any health insurance exchanges by the state according to KBIA. The measure states that no exchanges are to occur unless it is approved by legislature or the voters’ approval. The bill also states that the governor cannot use an executive order to have the exchanges into action. Also in an extreme attempt of not having any exchange set up, the measure proposes to sue any state agency or worker involved in exchange activity.

In Illinois, small businesses and health care advocates are still demanding that Governor Pat Quinn use his executive order, like Rhode Island and New York, to issue an executive order for the health insurance exchanges. According to Fox Illinois, Gov. Quinn has expressed interest in using his executive order to get the exchanges in place but nothing has been done so far. Advocates want action to be taken whether or not the Justices rule in favor of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but the governors of fifteen other states seem to have a similar approach to this situation. 

The justices know that this decision will impact the country one way or another. Assuming it passes people are going to be covered and helped with the financial burden of coverage, with federal subsidies and state-run exchanges. But people argue that now government can do anything now since the justices have precedent if passed. The effects of striking down the act will lead to millions of people losing the health care they already have because of it being passed in 2010. 

This decision is political and emotional, and The New Republic writer Alex MacGillis echoes this very sentiment with his piece detailing the people living in Tennessee and the attempts of finding affordable health care.  

  

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!