Health Care Gamble Could Cost Oklahoma

Oklahoma rolled the dice and is could soon have to pay up
after betting wrong when it came to national politics.  The issue revolves around the Affordable Care
Act.  The new health care law requires
states to set up a health insurance exchange program.  That exchange program is essentially a
database where people can compare costs and purchase health insurance
programs. 

The federal government gave Oklahoma $54 million to
implement an exchange, but Governor Mary Fallin rejected the funds.  Republicans in Oklahoma bet first that the
Supreme Court would declare the law unconstitutional.  When that failed, many of the GOP leaders
hoped for Republican victories either in the Senate or Presidency or both.  That failed to materialize as well. 

Oklahoma has until November 16, 2012 to submit plans for
a state-based or federal partnership exchange and that plan needs to be created
by the first of next year.  If Oklahoma
doesn’t do that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will take
over and force the state into a federally run insurance exchange.

Alex Weintz, a spokesman for Governor Fallin issued the
following statement in regards to the health insurance exchange program:

“Governor
Fallin is continuing to explore the state’s options as they relate to health
insurance exchanges. Her priority is to ensure the people of Oklahoma are best
served by a system that increases access to health care, controls health care
costs and does so in a way that is fiscally responsible. Oklahoma is not in a
unique position; many other states are continuing to weigh what options best
serve their citizens, as is responsible.” - Alex Weintz

Posted: Wednesday, November 7 2012, 09:35 PM CST