There are three potential options that states can choose from for their health insurance exchanges. Some states have selected to create a state-based exchange. Another option is a federal and state partnership. Others have decided to allow the federal government to create an exchange for their state. Here are some of the states that will have federal exchanges.
Alabama
In May of 2012, Governor Robert Bentley threatened to veto a bill establishing a state-based health insurance exchange if it cleared the Senate before the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. On November 13, 2012, Governor Robert Bentley announced that Alabama will default to a federally-facilitated exchange. The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Alabama starting in 2014.
Alaska
On July 17, 2012, Governor Sean Parnell announced that Alaska will not create a state-based health insurance exchange. Prior to that announcement, Governor Parnell openly opposed exchange legislation and affirmed that if Alaska proceeded with developing a state-based exchange it would do so with its own money. Alaska is the only state that chose not to accept a $1 million federal Exchange Planning Grant. The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Alaska starting in 2014.
Georgia
On November 16, 2012, Governor Nathan Deal announced that the state of Georgia had stopped planning for an exchange. The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Georgia beginning in 2014.
Kansas
Governor Sam Brownback decided to place health insurance exchange planning on hold until after the November 2012 elections. As we know, President Obama was elected to a second term on November 6, 2012. On November 9, 2012, Governor Brownback announced that Kansas would default to a federally-facilitated exchange. The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Kansas starting in 2014.
Louisiana
Governor Bobby Jindal has announced that Louisiana will not pursue the establishment of a state-based health insurance exchange. Prior to that announcement, Governor Jindal signed into law a bill prohibiting plans operating in state-based exchange from offering abortions, with no exceptions. The federal government will assume full responsibility for running health insurance exchange in Louisiana beginning in 2014.
Maine
Governor Paul LePage halted efforts to plan a state-based exchange in order to wait until the Supreme Court made a decision about the Affordable Care Act. On November 16, 2012, Governor LePage wrote in a letter to federal officials that Maine would not be pursuing efforts to implement a state-based health insurance exchange. The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Maine starting in 2014.
Image by Daniel Lobo on Flickr