Health Care Talk (HCTalk.com)

[Denver Dave]

Dear Healthcare Advocate,

The Senate bill that is now working its way to final approval contains a provision allowing for state flexibility, but the 2017 restriction remains intact.

Thus, the Senate bill requires that all states have an insurance market exchange by 2014. States must wait to request a waiver until 2017.

The explanation that we have received about the 2017 restriction is very flawed. The concern is that states that want to get away with doing nothing would be able to get a waiver.

This simply is not possible. The waiver language in the Senate bill sets out clear criteria so no state could receive a waiver and do nothing. (p. 217 beginning with line 4)

On the House side, there is no waiver language.

What all this means is that states like California, Connecticut and New Mexico will be hindered from developing approaches other than one that only gives people a private insurance option.

Conference now remains our last hope.

We urge you to contact your Representatives and Senators and ask them to make sure that the Senate waiver language remains in the final bill without the 2017 date restriction. Both Pelosi and Reid need to be pressured to make this change in conference.

The push for state flexibility is absolutely critical at this point. Requesting such a provision, we believe, does not conflict with the goals of groups that are pushing for single payer or a public option.

Please let us know the response your receive from your Congressmen. Do not hesitate to call me if you need further information.

Best regards,

Mary Feldblum

Executive Director
Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign
www.nmhealthsecurity.org