Times-News (Twin Falls, ID)
March 20, 2018
March 20--TWIN FALLS -- State officials say they hope to
make "state-based" health insurance plans available to Idahoans by
the end of April -- if they're able to come to an agreement with the federal
government by that time.
An executive order aimed at letting insurance companies
create new health care plans that don't comply with the Affordable Care Act hit
a stumbling block earlier this month when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services informed the state that the plans may be in violation of the law.
A "very fruitful" visit to Washington, D.C. last
week resulted in a clearer understanding on both sides, Lt. Gov. Brad Little
told the Times-News during a meeting with the editorial board Monday. Little,
state Insurance Director Dean Cameron and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch met with White
House advisers and CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
"My expectation for that meeting was not very
high," Little said. "And it substantially beat expectations."
Initially, the state had hoped to make plans available by
Apr. 1, Little said. Now, as Cameron enters negotiations with the federal
government, the goal is the end of next month.
"We're firmly convinced that if the people from the
White House in the room get to the president...we'll be in good shape,"
Little said.
Whether the two sides are able to reach an agreement will
depend on if and when Idaho's plan is found to "substantially
enforce" the law.
Little didn't rule out the possibility of the state taking
legal action over the definition of "substantially," but said he
would prefer to avoid a lawsuit if possible.
"It's always better if you negotiate these things
than it is if you get it into court," Little said. "I'd rather just
sit down and say, it is what it is."
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