Bill Would Give States Greater Control Over Healthcare

11/20/2010

By 2014, most Americans will be required to have health insurance. While the clock is ticking, states and insurance companies are preparing themselves for the boom in people seeking coverage.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator Scott Brown are trying to pass a bill that would allow states to apply for waivers to that rule earlier than the current 2017 date. The two assert that those extra three years will prohibit states from being innovative and best serving their residents.

"It doesn't make sense - especially given the current budget environment - to force states to put off or abandon healthcare innovations in order to fully implement the federal law," says Wyden. "Bumping up the start date means that states can focus on ways to make the new health law work at its best from day one."

There are multiple provisions of healthcare reform. If the proposed bill is passed, states will have more control over how the law is implemented. Some of the provisions include employers being required to provide coverage depending on the size of the company and how many hours its employees work per week.

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