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From the Desk of Representative Sue Chew The Healthcare Exchange The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is a federal health care bill that was passed by the 111th Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. Many saw this bill as a way to bring healthcare costs down for individuals and small businesses (with fifty people or less). One provision of the law establishes a healthcare exchange in every state to serve individuals and small business. A healthcare exchange is simply a one-stop shop for consumers to evaluate and price health insurance plans and health insurer services. This will lead to increased competition and lower prices. Our Governor agrees with the President that a healthcare exchange will allow people to shop for and get the best deals in health insurance. The PPACA requires individual states to either construct their own health care exchange or the federal government will step in and construct the exchange for them. What’s happening in Idaho? The Idaho Health Care Taskforce, took on the task of evaluating a healthcare exchange. In monthly meetings throughout the summer they explored what an Idaho exchange could look like. Last Friday, on an 11 to 1 vote, the task force endorsed moving an eight page bill presented by the Department of Insurance to the two germane committees in the legislature. In addition, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will need to work in coordination to provide the authority to spend the $20.3 million federal grant that would pay for the creation of the exchange. As Senator Joyce Broadsword stated, this will allow for these committees to, "determine whether it’s best for the state or not." Legislators have concerns with this bill. First, while the bill would set up an oversight board of thirteen members, some feel that this board is stacked with too many insurance industry insiders and too few small medical providers and consumer representatives. Others are concerned that the board, given authority over the plan of operation, will have too much control and will limit consumer options. House Minority Leader John Rusche emphasized, "As always, the devils in the details and the plan of operations is really going to say whether this is successful and meets the needs of Idaho." Yesterday, Governor Otter opened the 2012 Legislative Session with his State of the State Address and shared that he believes it is best for, "all Idahoans to discuss our options and decide what's best for our citizens." This is tepid support at best, and sets the stage for a very interesting debate.
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