Ohio Sen. Bacon exploring state's options for exchanges

Republican State Sen. Kevin Bacon has recently begun investigating whether Ohio should consider operating its own health insurance exchange (Source: "Senator weighing health-care exchange options," Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 26, 2012).

Bacon, who serves as chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, said the only conclusion he's reached so far is that “If anyone told me they fully understand the issue, I would not believe them."

Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Insurance, has indicated that the state would likely opt for a federally run exchange because it would be less costly to the state. Meanwhile, some lawmakers have argued that a state-run exchange would allow Ohio more flexibility.

“There have been knee-jerk reactions to this across the board,” Bacon said. “We need to drill down and find our own answers on this.”

By Nov. 16, all states must submit an "exchange blueprint" outlining their plan for either operating their own exchange,  participating in a federal one or adopting a hybrid model where some aspects of the exchange would be controlled at the state level while others are controlled at the federal level.