Alabama is moving closer to establishing its own health insurance exchange as the state’s Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission finishes its work this week. The agency was formed earlier this year at the order of Governor Robert Bentley. The agency was tasked with determining the proper course of action to take when the time comes to make an exchange program. The Commission plans to submit its proposals for the program later this week, at which point the state Legislature will vote on the fate of a state-run insurance exchange. Exact…
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Georgia launches panel to investigate the virtues of a health insurance exchange
Georgia is outspoken in its opposition to the federal health care reform, as are many other Southern states. Despite the efforts of these states to have the law declared unconstitutional, the law remains in place and states are still required to establish health insurance exchange programs. Unwilling to allow the federal government to take charge of the exchange if it cannot make the 2014 deadline, Georgia has launched a new panel of insurance experts and legislators to explore how an exchange would serve the people of the state. In terms…
Read MoreIdaho seeks federal aid for the building of an insurance exchange, yet legislators are leery of the program overall
Idaho officials have submitted an application to the federal government for financial aid on constructing a health insurance exchange in the state. Millions of dollars could be headed for the state if the application is approved. Much of the money will be used to plan and build exchange program, but any efforts will first need the approval of the state’s Legislature, which has been slow to warm to the overarching federal health care law. Idaho legislators have only approved of submitting the application for federal funds, thus far. Idaho has…
Read MorePaul Ryan feels tax credits are the road to universal health coverage
Paul Ryan (R., WI), the House Budget Committee Chairman, gave a significant speech at the Hoover Institution about health reform. At this Stanford University think tank, Ryan spoke about his own Medicare and Medicaid reform plan called “Path to Prosperity”. That said, he also took a moment to speak about the third health-care entitlement in the United States, which is a tax subsidy of $300 billion per year, which helps to cover employer-sponsored health insurance. This reform offers the chance for universal coverage to run in a market-oriented way. Ryan…
Read MoreTennessee advocacy groups seek to raise awareness of coming health insurance exchanges
The full breadth of last year’s health care reform will come into effect beginning in 2014. Many states have yet to take the appropriate steps to conform to new health care regulation set up by the federal government and residents of states are still suffering from a lack of knowledge regarding the coming changes. Tennessee officials have been laboring to teach citizens about health care reform by showing them how the changes will affect their lives. While many in the state may disapprove of the federal reform, Tennessee officials have…
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