Opinion: Editorials Struggling with the complexities of health exchanges

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

President Obama's re-election ensured that his national health care law will be implemented. But now the focus has turned to the difficulties that involves. Health insurance exchanges must be established in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It is through these exchanges that eligible Americans will be given government subsidies to purchase government-designed insurance plans.

 

 

The exchanges are projected to cover 20 million Americans by 2016 and to cost $800 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. But before that can happen, they must be ready for open enrollment by Oct. 1, 2013, and be fully operational three months after that.

 

Under the terms of the law, states have the option of setting up their own exchanges, doing so with other states (or the federal government), or simply letting the feds take care of it. As of Friday afternoon, 15 states (most of them with Republican governors) have chosen the last option, citing time constraints and the lack of flexibility within the law. Sixteen other states, plus D.C., have opted to set up their own exchanges; six are doing joint exchanges; and 13 states are undecided. (The Obama administration extended to next month the deadline for states to declare their intentions.)