Update: Wednesday, February 13, 2013:
Rather than wait until the Friday deadline, Governor Hassan sent a letter today to the Federal government declaring the state's intent to enter into a partnership exchange.
In a statement, the Governor said, "I do not believe it is in the best interest of our people to allow the federal government to impose a one-size-fits-all exchange on New Hampshire."
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Story from Tuesday, February 12, 2013:
With a February 15th deadline looming, an official from the Governor’s office announced Tuesday its intention to enter into a partnership health care exchange.
Exchanges are the new marketplaces where individuals and small businesses will shop for health insurance starting in 2014. They were a key provision of the major health care overhaul law.
At a legislative hearing, Lucy Hodder, legal counsel for Governor Hassan, said a partnership will allow the state to maintain regulatory control over the insurance industry.
“If we do not, right now, tell the Federal government what we want control over, we will lose it. We’ve lost a lot already, and it is incredibly important to make sure we are doing what’s best for the New Hampshire residents.”
But the decision isn’t sitting well with some lawmakers.
In a statement, Republican Senator Jeb Bradley cautions that there are still too many unanswered questions about costs for a partnership to have his support.
The Governor is expected to make a formal announcement on Friday.
