Senators gave first-round approval April 24 to a bill intended to create state-based oversight for Nebraska\u2019s health insurance exchange.<\/p>\n
Under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Nebraska is required to have an operational health insurance exchange by Jan. 1, 2014. Nebraska will have a federally facilitated exchange.<\/p>\n
LB384, introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, would create the Nebraska Exchange Stakeholder Commission. Nordquist said the bill would provide the state a group of stakeholders willing to work with the federal government to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe Nebraskans deserve a say in the creation of the health insurance marketplace,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, the commission would:
\n\u2022 work with state and federal agencies and policymakers to provide oversight and recommendations regarding implementation and operation of the exchange;
\n\u2022 create technical and advisory groups as needed to discuss issues regarding the exchange and to make recommendations to the commission, state or federal agencies and the Legislature;
\n\u2022 assist the exchange in meeting the stakeholder consultation requirements as provided in federal regulations; and
\n\u2022 identify challenges and problems in the implementation and operation of the exchange and prepare recommendations to alleviate the problems identified.<\/p>\n
The commission would report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2013.<\/p>\n
As introduced, the commission\u2019s 12 members would include:
\n\u2022 three health care consumers, one from each congressional district;
\n\u2022 one small business representative;
\n\u2022 two health care providers;
\n\u2022 one health insurance agent;
\n\u2022 one health insurance carrier representative;
\n\u2022 one member of the Rural Health Advisory Commission; and
\n\u2022 three nonvoting, ex officio representatives of the state departments of insurance and health and human services.<\/p>\n
Members \u2013 appointed by the governor and approved by the Legislature \u2013 would serve four-year terms.<\/p>\n
A Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee amendment, adopted 26-0, removed the requirement that consumers represent each congressional district and that one member represent the Rural Health Advisory Commission.<\/p>\n
Instead, the amended bill would require four members to represent the interests of consumers, with at least one representing rural consumers who will access health insurance in the exchange.<\/p>\n
The amendment also would sunset the commission July 1, 2017.<\/p>\n
Nordquist offered an amendment to the committee amendment that removed the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) director of Children and Family Services from the commission.<\/p>\n
He said the director originally had been included because the division currently is responsible for Medicaid eligibility determinations. However, a pending DHHS reorganization will move that responsibility to the Medicaid division, he said.<\/p>\n
After adopting the Nordquist amendment 26-0, senators advanced LB384 to select file on a 28-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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