Insurance Exchange Now Off Table In Boise For 2012

Idaho’s plans for a health insurance exchange are off the table, according to a state legislator.

Currently, 26 states are suing the federal government over controversial new health care reforms. Idaho is one of those states and some legislators said Boise has reacted to the tabled exchange.

Jeff Thompson (R-Idaho Falls) said talk around the state house seems to favor waiting for what may come.

“We should wait to hear what the supreme court’s decision is,” said Thompson.

Waiting means an issue many projected to be big in 2012 may now be off the table for the current session.

“If need be we can come into a special session, or we can wait till next legislative session on it,” said Thompson.

Insurance agents, lawmakers, and healthcare professionals gathered at meetings hosted by the Department of Insurance late last year to provide perspective on how Idaho’s exchange could best serve state interests.

Roy Lacey (D-Pocatello) said taking the exchange off table and waiting for a special session isn’t the way to go.

“Right now we have industry wanting it, the insurance companies want it, the chambers want it,” said Lacey. “Most of the people want it, there’s just a few pushing back on it right now. And I don’t know why they’re doing it. Their day to shine, I guess.”

Lacey said not creating a state insurance exchange now will be worse for Idaho in the future.

Legislators have until 2013 to create a state exchange. The supreme court decision won’t come down until June, and by then legislature will be out of session. Without calling a special session, Idaho may have to default to a nationwide federal exchange model.

“If we have a national health care exchange designed by someone in Washington, it’s going to have national carriers, we may not have our local northwestern carriers in it,” said Lacey.

The Affordable Healthcare Act at the center of all this controversy would require all Americans to carry health insurance coverage by 2014.