Health Insurance Exchange Update: Tuesday, July 24, 2012

North Dakota State Flag

As the days become weeks and weeks become months, states are either waiting or moving on with the exchanges and Medicaid expansion. But some are bringing up the fact that states should go on start on the exchange program and on the Medicaid expansion. Timothy Noah of The New Republic argues that Medicaid expansion provided in the health care law should be federalized. But the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot make the state expand Medicaid. So more states are opting not to expand if they're not forced to. But Noah writes that the expansion will not put a dent so to speak in the debt of the states.

North Dakota is going back and forth between whether or not to set up the state-run exchanges. According to The Jamestown Sun, the GOP state officials are strongly opposed to setting up the exchanges. Last November, the House voted 64-30 against setting up the exchanges. The conservative leaders did not want to be in support of a law that they saw was going Gov. Jack Dalrymple stands firmly as he will not implement any portion of the health care reform law. Supporters of the law are echoing the same sentiment as every other supporter by saying that the state is better off creating their own plan instead of the federal government. The same goes for those who oppose the law. Brett Narloch said that since it a federal program, it should be run by the federal government. 

Wyoming is a state that has decided to follow the lead of the state attorney general of Virginia: do nothing. According to the Wyoming Business Report, they along with nine others have decided not to set up their own exchanges but it seems like Gov. Matt Mead has decided to see what the options are regarding the setting up of the exchanges and Medicaid. The state created forums for individuals who are concerned about the Medicaid expansion. In addition, Wyoming has begun looking into options for exchanges. Because Wyoming has a unique situation (large state, small population) and the governor wants to make sure he sets up the right exchange for his state. He even expressed this same sentiment in a letter to the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Resources Kathleen Sebellius. 

Nebraska’s state insurance officials said that the state have begun efforts in implementing exchanges. But , according to CBS News, there are some who are questioning Gov. Dave Heineman can fulfill the requirements without calling a special session. Bruce Ramage, director of the Department of Insurance, has said that Nebraska is making strides to have their own exchange set up for the future. But Sen. Paul Schumacher wonders if the governor, who opposes the law, has the authority to use his executive order to have the implementations or whether they need legislation.

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.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate! 

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Florida State Flag

In an effort to exercise their ability to be the uncooperative partner, 12 senate and 61 House members sent out letters to governors telling them to rebel against the Affordable Care Act. One man in particular is taking this to heart where as some are weighing options and very few are ahead of the curve. 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott stated soon after the health care ruling said he rejected health insurance exchanges. Now the governor has come out and said that he will also not be expanding Medicaid as well according to The New York Times. The governor cites that the state will have too much of a burden expanding Medicaid for his citizens. Even though the government will cover all costs for new people under Medicaid from 2014 to 2016, he believes that after those three years the tax payers will have the burden of paying a substantial amount. But there are some who have begun to critique what exactly Scott said while making his rounds on national television. Whether it is from the amount of money Florida will pay to the idea or rationing of the health care, there are some regarding his comments as false on off base with what the health care law actually does. 

North Dakota is one of 36 states that must decide whether or not to take the lead in creating health insurance exchanges, according to the Jamestown Sun. Their legislator decided to have the federal government lead them in establishing exchanges. Under the current deadlines, North Dakota may not have enough time unless they receive conditional approval from the government. Blue Cross Shield of North Dakota are exploring the possibility of having a standby template incase the government offers an extension. But if the state is not offered an extension, then the state will have to use the federal government’s exchange program. 

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is deciding whether or not he will also use the federal government in order to set up exchanges, claiming that this would be good for the state. He has also mentioned that Medicaid in New Jersey is already inclusive and that the federal government should give money to states for Medicaid with no strings attached, according to NECN.

Taking the initiative into his own hands, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo decided to use an executive order in order to comply with the health care law back in April. Now they are one of the few states ready for when most of health care law goes into act in 2014. Of the 2.7 million people who are uninsured, 1 million will be able for exchanges, 700,000 are immigrants who will not be covered and the remainder will receive Medicaid coverage according to Democrat and Chronicle.

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.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!