Feb 6, 2013, 1:44pm EST
By: David A. Mann
Business First
Health insurance agents and brokers plan to lobby against legislation that would keep the state from establishing a health insurance exchange. The exchange, a product of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is to serve as a marketplace for those seeking insurance policies.
The legislation prohibiting the state from operating an exchange unless authorized by the General Assembly was introduced by Kentucky Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, in January. It undermines an executive order issued in July by Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear to move forward with establishing the exchange.
Residents in states that do not create their own health insurance exchanges can use a federal health insurance exchange.
Leigh Ann Thacker, a lobbyist for an agent and broker trade group called the Kentucky Association of Health Underwriters, said if Kentucky residents are to participate in an exchange, it should be one administered by state government, rather than federal government.
Though not all the details have been finalized, agents are expected to be allowed to sell policies that are offered through the Kentucky Health Insurance exchange.
Additional reading on the exchange and its impact can be found here.
David A. Mann covers these beats: Health care, health insurance, distribution/logistics (UPS), manufacturing (GE, Ford), environment, travel, minority/women’s affairs and Southern Indiana.
Article Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/02/06/insurance-brokers-to-fight-for-state.html
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