Supreme Court's Verdict on Healthcare Reform Could Determine Future of Alabama Health Insurance Exchange

The Supreme Court's verdict on national healthcare reform could determine the future of health insurance exchanges in Alabama, according to a Montgomery Advertiser report.

The Supreme Court has said it will hear arguments from March 26-28 on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law mandates that states set up health insurance exchanges by 2014 to allow consumers to purchase affordable health insurance through an online marketplace.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states must submit plans for exchanges to HHS by the beginning of 2013. The exchanges are meant to be implemented by 2014. Alabama lawmakers have already started the process of planning an exchange, with Sen. Greg Reed (R-Jasper) drafting a bill to set up an exchange while he and Rep. Jim McClendon (R-Springville) co-chair a committee to examine the possibilities.

Sen. Reed said he hopes to avoid federal intervention on the exchange, which would occur if Alabama does not submit a plan to HHS by 2013. Rep. McClendon said sponsors are still waiting to see how things will work out on the federal level, as the Supreme Court may wait to hand down a decision until June.

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