Welcome to the Nexus of Ethics, Psychology, Morality, Philosophy and Health Care

Welcome to the nexus of ethics, psychology, morality, technology, health care, and philosophy

Friday, March 1, 2013

Federal Government To Run Insurance Marketplaces In Half The States

By Phil Galewitz and Alvin Tran
Kaiser Health News
Originally published February 15, 2013

It's official. The Obama administration will be running new health insurance marketplaces in 26 states— including the major population centers of Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania.

The federal government had hoped more states this week would agree to form a partnership exchange—the deadline to apply was Friday—but the offer was largely rebuffed. New Jersey, Ohio and Florida, several of the biggest states that had not declared their intentions, officially said no late in the week.

"I have determined that federal operation of the Exchange is the responsible choice for our state," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, wrote in letter Friday to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

For consumers, it should make little difference whether the new Internet sites are run from state capitals or Washington, D.C. But federal regulators hoped states would shoulder some of the work and stakeholder groups such as hospitals and insurers wanted states to help as well. The exchanges will open for business Oct. 1.

The entire story is here.

Editorial Note: Since Kaiser Health News reported this information, Florida Gov. Rick Scott now accepted the federal government's assistance to set up the health exchange for Florida.