Fully Enacted Obamacare
Will the soon-to-be fully enacted Obamacare begin a slow and confusing death?
The states had until yesterday (Friday) to make a lasting and formidable decision for their citizens. They had to make a decision to either cooperate (partner) with the White House and set up Obamacare health exchanges, or go it alone.
The final tally is still in doubt.
According to Politico, over half of the states have already made their decision months ago. They will abide by the new law and allow the federal government to create an online insurance marketplace for them.
A smaller group of states will cooperate with the Department of Health and Human Services while administering portions of the federal exchanges themselves.
Federally Run Exchanges
Surprisingly, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, made it clear earlier this week he will go the route of federally run exchanges. That is in direct contrast to other conservatives including Republican governors Rick Scott of Florida, Bob McDonnell of Virginia, Chris Christie of New Jersey and Gary Herbert.
Gov. Herbert was the opposition to the Affordable Care Act who led the legal battle in the Supreme Court. Thirty states, again surprisingly led by Democrats, took the path of developing their own exchanges.
The key element in the Obamacare federal exchanges is state rights. Some governors are adamantly opposed simply because they feel the process will boil down to a few favored larger states over smaller ones.
“Some people don’t like the idea of a partnership because the concern they have is one partner is superior to the other,” Herbert told Politico.
Some states will participate with the stipulation that they will cooperate with a federally facilitated exchange while retaining the right to manage the bureaucracy themselves.
The Future is Dicey
Many governors contend that until the entire law is fully enacted in January of 2014, no clear road map of direction can be solidified. They contend that when the people realize how much this will cost each individual taxpayer and the cost of health care insurance, the future is dicey at best.
It is abundantly clear to all sides of the argument that for the process to work, cooperation between the state and federal governments is vital.
Yesterday’s deadline has passed with enrollment set to begin on Oct 1, and coverage will kick in on Jan. 1, 2014.
What is a highly unpopular law with a majority of Americans will now be exposed to the light of day. The 2,700-page law will now be a living, breathing bureaucracy unlike anything seen in the history of the country.
Obamacare to Dictate Liberals’ Chances of Retaining White House
The fate of Obamacare may well dictate the liberals’ chances of retaining the White House in 2016. For that matter, their slim majority in the Senate and minority numbers in the House will be in jeopardy come 2014 midterm elections.
More than a new law is at stake, and both parties watch with wary eyes.
