State Dems introduce exchange legislation

Democratic state legislators introduced a bill in both chambers last week that would create the infrastructure for a state-run insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses (Source: “Dems try again to force Ohio’s hand in creating insurance exchange,” (Columbus) Business First, Jan. 5, 2012).

The legislation is sponsored by Rep. John Patrick Carney (D-Columbus) and Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) in the House and Sen. Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) in the Senate. The bill would establish separate individual and small business markets, with oversight provided by a board of state health and a board made up of state health and insurance officials and appointees representing unions, consumers and small business, plus economic and benefits experts. 

In order to pass, the legislation would have to win support from Republicans, who control both chambers. Republican leaders indicated last week, through their spokesmen, that they needed to review the bill before commenting.  

Last September the Health Policy of Ohio released a policy brief titled “Federal rules for establishing health insurance exchanges” (pdf, 12 pages) that provides background on the issue.