Legislative
Republicans’ ongoing opposition to the State developing its own health
insurance exchange as required under the Federal Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act resulted in Governor Snyder’s working on a state-federal
partnership to do the same, and this week that partnership has led to a sizable
grant to aid in the efforts.
U.S.
Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the $30.7
million grant as part of an overall $1.5 billion effort to aid 11 states.
The
grant is intended to assist the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory
Affairs (LARA) in conducting an analysis on the impact of the exchange in
Michigan, as well as securing contractual services for legal, technology
planning, education and outreach, and financial and policy matters.
House
Republicans had opposed accepting a $9.8 million grant last session for setting
up the state exchange. The Legislature will have to approve spending the new
grant before the funds may be utilized.