States' Efforts to Alter Reform-Law Implementation May Affect Providers, Insurers

Legislatures across the country are considering proposals to address fallout from implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In many instances, that means bills that aim to allow states to opt out or nullify the federal healthcare reform law. While those efforts are almost certainly futile given the U.S. Supreme Court's blessing of the law, more piecemeal efforts could have ramifications for healthcare providers and insurers.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there were at least 81 bills pending in 32 states broadly opposing the ACA heading into 2014 legislative sessions.

In New Hampshire, Republican state Rep. Bill Nelson has introduced legislation that would require insurers selling products through the exchange to negotiate with all willing healthcare providers. The legislation was spurred in part by the fact that just one insurance company—Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire—is selling products through the exchange. West Virginia is the only other state with just one health plan active in the exchange.

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Source: Modern Healthcare