Al's Bentley Says No to Insurance Exchange

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on Monday said his state would not create a health insurance exchange plan under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Bentley, a dermatologist and "staunch opponent" of the law, said Alabama would not create an exchange because there are not enough options or assistance from the federal government.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, six states in addition to Alabama have decided not to create exchange insurance plans, including Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana.

The District of Columbia and 15 states have already created exchanges, including West Virginia and Kentucky, Kaiser said.

States have the option of establishing an exchange as part of an existing state agency, an independent public agency, or as a nonprofit entity, according to Kaiser's website at www.statehealthfacts.org.

Though health care plans are required to use contractors that meet minimum federal requirements, states can choose to have the exchange contract with all qualified health plans or they can contract with selected health plans and negotiate prices.

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Healthcare industry Alabama
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