New Health Exchange Rules put States in the Driver’s Seat

TexPIRG

“The draft rules released today by the federal Department of Health and Human Services put states in the driver’s seat when it comes to setting up new health benefits exchanges.  The regulations list the minimum standards a state will need to meet in order to run their own exchange, but they also lay out the many choices states will need to make.  In particular, while the rules do not require states to empower their exchanges to negotiate on behalf of consumers, they do make clear that these strategies can lower costs, improve value, and enhance competition.

“What HHS released today is a menu, not a recipe.  Texas’ leaders should take the flexibility they’ve been given to design a strong, negotiating exchange for all of our state’s consumers.”