Health-care exchanges in many states held up by pending Supreme Court ruling

[alp227]

J. Duncan Moore Jr., Kaiser Health News for the Washington Post, 6/10/12

Illinois might seem the least likely place for the health-care law to get sidelined. It’s a state with a Democratic governor and solid Democratic majorities in both houses of the legislature. It’s also the political base of President Obama, who championed the legislation in the face of furious opposition.

Yet even here, voters are divided on the law’s merits, and a bill authorizing creation of a state-based health insurance exchange — a centerpiece of the law designed to expand coverage to millions of people — has been stalled while state lawmakers wait to see how the Supreme Court rules.

“Our reaction to the Affordable Care Act was one of great pride that the president was able to pass something,” said Michael Gelder, senior health policy adviser to Gov. Patrick Quinn. “Yet we still are struggling with most of the states to get this legislation passed.”

With the legislative session recently ended, some speculate Quinn will act unilaterally to set up the exchange by issuing an executive order — the approach taken by governors in New York and Rhode Island. Quinn’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/health-care-exchanges-in-many-states-held-up-by-pending-supreme-court-ruling/2012/06/09/gJQA4xyiQV_singlePage.html

[Warren Stupidity]

1. Not in my state. Our loonislature has refused.

They are squabbling instead over two bills that dictate how the state should not participate.

[SoutherDem]

2. Seems like the red states have already said no

But I could see other waiting so they don't spend money on something which they won't need. If the SCOTUS does overturn the law, I can just hear the Republicans talking about the money wasted on setting up exchanges which are not needed.