Some good news on a sad day from Governor McDonnell
Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Virginia will not be setting up state based health care exchanges under Obamacare. Governor McDonnell said “
For months, Virginia has asked the Obama administration to provide clear guidance and comprehensive answers to important questions that would determine major components and financial impacts to the Commonwealth should we decide to run our own exchange,” Governor McDonnell said. “Originally, I asked that we begin the planning process to potentially operate a state-based exchange for Virginia, primarily so we would be in control of this process. However, despite repeated requests for information, we have not had any clear direction or answers from Washington until recent days, and we cannot conclude, as we review those materials, that we would have the control and flexibility needed to efficiently and effectively run our own state exchange. If Virginians are faced with running a costly, heavily regulated bureaucratic exchange without clear direction from Washington, then it is in the best interest of our taxpayers to let Washington manage an exchange at this time. We would like the ability to control our health insurance marketplace, and will continue dialogue with the federal government to clearly understand the logistics of this option before making a decision.”
This could potentially save Virginians a lot of money. More here.
3 Responses to “Some good news on a sad day from Governor McDonnell”
I’m confused about some of the remarks.
“If Virginians are faced with running a costly, heavily regulated bureaucratic exchange without clear direction from Washington, then it is in the best interest of our taxpayers to let Washington manage an exchange at this time.”
and then this-
“We would like the ability to control our health insurance marketplace, and will continue dialogue with the federal government to clearly understand the logistics of this option before making a decision.”
Is the decision by McDonnell a definite decision, or is it still open to what info the Gov. gets from DC? It seems to be somewhat talking out of both sides of the mouth.
If I understand McDonnell, he is saying that he needs clearly to understand the “logistics” before making a decision. What am I missing?
The decision to leave this function in the hands of the federal government when the state has the option of managing its own exchange strikes me as a blow against state autonomy in this area. That the legislation carved out this room for the states was because of efforts of conservative lawmakers trying to ensure that the states continued to function as laboratories for new ideas and that the competition between states would lead to efficiencies throughout the whole system. States that turn their backs on this opportunity are doing their citizens no favors and are playing into the strengthening of a national health care system that is far more centralized that most conservatives are comfortable with. It seems in some of these decisions, the motivation is somewhat spiteful – we hate “Obamacare” so we’re just going to hold our breath and turn blue. I hope that is not Virginia’s underlying motivation.
I think he did the right thing. So many times the Feds will have those strings attached with hidden costs that we may not be able to afford. I’m still disappointed with the Supreme Court.
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