Officials Debate Whether States Or Feds Should Run Health Insurance Marketplaces
Kaiser Health News reports on the fight over whether states or the federal government should run a proposed health insurance marketplace and the "outcome has big implications for consumers.""The House, which would establish a national exchange run by the federal government, argues that setting a uniform program would help protect consumers. The Senate, which wants each state to create and run its own exchange, says states have more experience overseeing insurance plans and know their residents' needs better." Those who want the federal government to oversee the marketplace say states don't have to cash or staff to run the exchange and are prone to being overwhelmed by lobbying while state backers say consumers would get better results "calling their state regulators than trying to navigate a new federal structure" (Carey, 1/14). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.