Obama Administration Approves Kentucky’s Plan To Move To Federal Health Marketplace
Once elected last year, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin moved to dismantle the state's successful online health marketplace and instead let residents buy their plans through the federal exchange.
The Associated Press:
US Government OKs Dismantling Kentucky Health Exchange
Federal officials have approved Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin's plan to dismantle the state health exchange. The exchange, known as kynect, was launched in 2013 and has been a way for Kentucky residents to shop for health insurance or enroll in Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. After Nov. 1, people in Kentucky will use the federal health exchange to find coverage. (10/4)
Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal:
Feds Give OK To Disconnect Kynect
While approving the plan, a top official with the U.S. Health and Human Services Department expressed concern about the impact of the transition on the about 500,000 Kentuckians who gained health coverage through kynect. "We remain concerned that kynect's transition to the federal platform may disrupt the seamless system of coverage that kynect established," Andrew Slavitt said in a letter to Bevin. (Yetter, 10/4)
Morning Consult:
CMS Approves Kentucky Plan To Shift Exchange To Federal Platform
The exchange was set up under the state’s former democratic governor, but when Republican Matt Bevin took office nearly a year ago, he said he would shift to using the federal platform. The change will take effect on Nov. 1, the same day as the start of the open enrollment sign-up period. CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt said in a letter to Bevin that the state has met the required transition milestones required to date, but said the agency has concerns about how the transition will affect people who buy their insurance on the exchange or are covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (McIntire, 10/4)
