Oklahoma is latest to reject state-based health exchange (Obamacare)

The Hill ^ | 11/19/12 | Sam Baker

[Libloather]

Oklahoma is latest to reject state-based health exchange
By Sam Baker - 11/19/12 03:23 PM ET

Add Oklahoma to the list of Republican-led states that won't implement the key feature of President Obama's healthcare law.

Gov. Mary Fallin said Monday that she won't set up a state-based insurance exchange — a new portal where people who don't get insurance through their employers can shop for coverage, often with help from a federal subsidy.

"It does not benefit Oklahoma taxpayers to actively support and fund a new government program that will ultimately be under the control of the federal government, that is opposed by a clear majority of Oklahomans, and that will further the implementation of a law that threatens to erode both the quality of American healthcare and the fiscal stability of the nation," Fallin said in a statement.

Republican governors are under pressure from conservatives not to set up their own exchanges. It's seen as the best chance to stand in the way of the Affordable Care Act now that Obama's reelection has protected the law from legislative repeal.

Fallin's decision means that the federal government will now run Oklahoma's exchange, as it will in the other GOP-led states that have rejected their own exchanges.

Fallin also said the state will not participate in the healthcare law's Medicaid expansion, which became optional as a result of the Supreme Court's landmark healthcare ruling.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

The states that sign on to obamascare will have to raise taxes considerably to implement the exchange making it a lot easier on the fed monster.The states that wont make it harder on the fed monster so if enough states tell the fed monster to pound sand then it may collapse due to lack of funds.Thats the way I read it anyway.

[tobyhill]

Good! If enough states don’t set up the exchanges or expand Medicaid then the program will implode on itself with the cost. There’s no way those paying Medicare/Medicaid Taxes can support those who are not.