EXCHANGE: State should be in charge

Health care’s biggest catchphrase today is “Health Insurance Exchange” and mandatory health-care coverage. Most Idaho residents wonder what and how health-care exchanges will affect insurance options, pricing, prescription drug coverage, provider network availability.

Health insurance exchanges typically include:

• A choice of two or more health insurance options

• Advice and recommendation that best fit your needs

• Automated billing health insurance plan premium(s)

• On-going support for health insurance plan(s)

Our state must elect a state or federal health exchange model. This choice is vitally important as the benefits of a state-run exchange mean we maintain control of quality assurance and regulation on behalf of Idahoans. Competition will remain between Idaho companies, giving the State Health Exchange more influence and leverage to preserve Idaho’s cost containment — currently a national-low.

It would be unfortunate if Idaho defaults to a federal exchange as this would give rise to the potential of losing insurance professionals across the state to federally selected “navigators.” These navigators would not have to compete for your business, and answer only to the federal government. As an example, this means customer service will be managed by government staff, instead of the local service we value today.

Governor Otter’s work group recommended a state based exchange and now he has until Dec. 14 to declare his decision. I urge all Idahoans to join me in supporting a health insurance exchange for IDAHO. Please visit www.keepitinidaho.com for more information.

TINA M. JEFFREY

US-Rx Care

Hayden Lake