Obamacare and criminal history??11-12-2012 National:
Businesses and health insurers are hungry for more direction, but many details haven't been worked out.
With President Obama's victory in hand, it's full steam ahead on implementing the federal health care law.
States face a Friday deadline to say whether they'll build their own heath insurance exchanges in 2014, or else live with a version being designed by the federal government. In a month, they'll need detailed blueprints that show they'll be ready to flip the switch.
Meanwhile, businesses that were sitting on the sidelines now must figure out how to help their workers get insurance.
"The story of this election is that there is nothing anymore that justifies waiting," said Kate Johansen, a lobbyist with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
The work ahead for states is daunting, even for Minnesota, which is ahead of many other states in laying the groundwork for a homegrown exchange. This will be a new online marketplace, required by the Affordable Care Act, to help consumers and small businesses shop for coverage.
A new DFL-led state Legislature portends a less contentious path to creating exchanges and expanding Medicaid benefits to more low-income Minnesotans.
But when lawmakers convene on Jan. 8, they will have just a few months to get up to speed on the most significant regulatory overhaul of the health care system in four decades. ..... ..... .....
Authorization in March
Legislators will need to have a bill in place in March to authorize an exchange so the system will be ready to enroll people in health plans in October. Divisive issues such as how it will be run and financed will have to be worked out, in addition to complex IT matters. The system will need to safeguard sensitive consumer data, as it will verify such information as income, criminal history and legal status.
While the election "ushered in a new reality," discussions already are underway with legislators to get the ball rolling on a bill, said Commissioner Jim Schowalter of Minnesota Management and Budget, whose office will oversee construction of the exchange. ...continued... by JACKIE CROSBY , Star Tribune
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