Michigan-Health Exchange May Rest on GOP

Creation of a federally mandated health-care exchange in Michigan may rest on GOP lawmakers conflicted about following the federal law while continuing opposition to federal health-care reforms.

The state Senate in November passed Senate Bill 693, which would create the MiHealth Marketplace Act — a nonprofit insurance exchange in which employers and individuals could choose from multiple plans.

On the same day, all 13 Republican senators who voted to create the health exchange also voted for a resolution urging Congress to repeal the federal law that requires it.

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If the court upholds the individual mandate, however, the state would meet the federal requirement.

"We had experts come in and talk to us, and they said that if you don't show progress in setting up a health exchange, the federal government, under law, will come in and set it up for you, and then the Michigan taxpayers could end up paying double to triple, or a lot more money," he said.

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Republican Gov. Rick Snyder urged the Legislature to pass the MiHealth Marketplace Act in his recent State of the State speech.

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Hat tip: Livingston Daily