Of all the states, Utah may win for most complicated relationship with the federal health reform law. It’s one of just two states that now operates a health insurance exchange - the other being Massachusetts.
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The Utah one looks quite different: There are no subsidies; nor are there standards for coverage. State officials like to compare it to a farmer’s market: Health insurers show up and sell their products, and subscribers decide whether to purchase. Utah is pretty hands-off with its exchange, which is run by just two state employees.
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Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, certainly hopes that his exchange will survive the federal health overhaul. “I’m cautiously optimistic our health care exchange will pass muster,” he said in an interview Wednesday.
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The federal government almost certainly won’t let the Utah exchange stand as is, given requirements for exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. The state’s marketplace serves only small businesses right now, while the federal law requires states to allow individuals to purchase coverage. Federal law also mandates that the exchange connects to a state’s Medicaid office; Utah’s Connector does not.
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Right now, Utah says it’s still far from getting the answers on the administration’s ground rules. While there are multiple regulations on the exchanges, there is little about the consequences for states that don’t comply.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/on-the-health-care-act-a-view-from-utah/2012/03/21/gIQAkbfISS_blog.html
Hat Tip: Washington Post, WonkBlog, Sarah Kliff
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