Idaho gets ok for health insurance exchange
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January 4, 2013 |
Idaho received an important endorsement to
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s determination to
create a state-based health insurance exchange
yesterday. The federal Health and Human Services
Department announced it had given conditional
approval for Idaho to create a state exchange.
The news was greeted enthusiastically by the
Idaho Health Exchange Alliance, a coalition of
more than 400 businesses, individuals and trade
associations that has been advocating for the
creation of a state-based health insurance
exchange. The exchanges act as online
marketplaces for consumers to purchase health
insurance products.
“Idaho has the tools and the talent to serve its
people best, and that’s why a state-based
exchange will work for our state,” said Fernando
Veloz, Chief Financial Officer, MS
Administrative Services, Inc., a member of the
Idaho Health Exchange Alliance. “It’s time for
Idaho to get on with the business of managing
its health insurance industry for the citizens
and businesses of Idaho.”
Governor Otter has directed Idaho to take
advantage of the opportunity to build a
state-based exchange and keep the federal
government from installing a new bureaucracy in
the state. Under federal health reform law,
states can either create their own exchange or
have one built and operated for them by the
federal government. After months of study, a
working group created by Governor Otter endorsed
a state-based insurance exchange to help
consumers navigate health insurance purchasing
choices.
To date, 20 states including the District of
Columbia have been conditionally approved to
partially or fully run their marketplaces.
Recent guidance from the federal government
about the health insurance exchanges makes clear
that the state-based health insurance exchanges
will be less costly to consumers and to the
state than a federally-managed health insurance
exchange.
Governor Otter’s recommendation now goes before
the Idaho Legislature for their review and
approval.
The Idaho Health Exchange Alliance was formed
out of the belief that Idaho is best served by a
state-based exchange, one built by and managed
for Idahoans, not a one-size-fits-all exchange
that would be installed by the federal
government.
For more information on the Idaho Health
Exchange Alliance or to join the group, please
visit
www.keepitinidaho.com.
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