Oregon is one step closer to passing a bill that would allow for the creation of a health insurance exchange. Late last week, the House Health Care Committee approved the bill, which will now await a final vote in the Senate. The bill will also establish a public agency that will oversee the exchange and regulate rate changes therein. The agency will be funded from a portion of fees collected by insurance companies that are participating in the exchange program. State officials expect that the program will be operational in…
Read MoreTag: health care reform bill passed
Has Oklahoma started a trend for states opposing health care reform?
If the federal government gave your state more than 50 million dollars, what do you think they would do with it? Would they give it back? It isn’t often that you would see a state turning down federal money, but that is exactly what is happening in Oklahoma. They are turning down 54 million dollars in federal grant money. The 54 million dollars in federal grant funding was going to be given to the state as a part of the new federal healthcare law. The Department of Health and Human…
Read MoreThe battle over health care reform dominance continues with a few good swings
The newly enacted Health Reform law is taking hits again. The House Republicans voted to repeal grant funding for a part of the health care law that would create insurance exchanges across the states. These marketplaces would let individuals and (small) businesses shop and compare policies and their prices. The Republicans voted to deny the funding for the insurance marketplace plan, which is a key element of the reform law. The Republicans feel that it gives too much power to the government to set coverage and plan details. The Republicans…
Read MoreColorado: Health Insurance Exchange Provision Won Over by Majority
Colorado has been the scene of an intense legislative battle regarding health insurance exchanges. As part of the Affordable Care Act, the provision has enemies among the Republican, most notably in the Tea Party sect. However, the many high ranking members of the Republican Party support exchanges, saying that it will benefit residents of the state more than hurt them. Despite this support, the bill that would make the exchange possible was in peril late Wednesday night. Senate Bill 200 was originally proposed by Amy Stephens, the House Majority Leader.…
Read MoreAffordable Care Act: What will be the next move?
The federal government has been embroiled in a battle regarding last year’s health care reform. One of the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, and one that is most indignantly contested, calls for states to establish a health insurance exchange. Thus far, the federal government has provided states with funding to help them toward this goal. Republicans, many of whom oppose the health care overhaul, have been trying to bar the government from providing money to states for, what they say, is an unconstitutional measure. Late Wednesday, the U.S.…
Read More