Will the federal government support New Mexico's effort to establish its health exchange by 2014? Print Share
Friday, February 4, 2011
Will the federal government support New Mexico's effort to establish its health exchange by 2014?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) authorizes the federal government to reimburse New Mexico and other states for the cost of establishing health insurance exchanges (HIE) through 2014. State HIEs were created by the ACA, and will create a competitive market of different health insurance plans that consumers will be able to purchase. HEIs ensure that Americans will have access to affordable and meaningful health insurance and will help families and individuals offset the cost of insurance premiums.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has notified states that it intends to "fully fund all necessary exchange activities undertaken by the states."
In the coming months, HHS will release guidance to the states to describe the categories of activities that are "necessary exchange activities" and may be reimbursed. New Mexico should carefully examine this guidance to ensure full federal reimbursement for our HIE activities.
Federal HIE funding is authorized and appropriated under the new law. As a result, this funding is available now to states through 2014.