Maryland gets $27 million to build insurance exhange
The state of Maryland won a $27.7 million grant Friday from the Obama administration to set up its health exchange, the marketplace where the uninsured will go to buy coverage in 2014.
The funds are part of a $185 million award from the Department of Health and Human Services to 13 states and Washington for the exchanges.
The agency also laid out three proposed rules on enrolling consumers and small businesses in plans, a tax credit for individuals and families and Medicaid eligibility.
In Maryland, which has been moving aggressively to set up its exchange through legislation and policy development, officials said the money will be used to hire personnel or continue planning for the new marketplace.
“This grant is further recognition of Maryland’s national leadership in implementing health care reform in order to reduce costs, expand access, and improve the quality of care for all Marylanders,” said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, co-chair of the Health Care Reform Coordinating Council, tasked with overseeing the federal health care reform effort in Maryland. “The Exchange will provide individuals and small businesses with a competitive marketplace offering affordable health insurance options that meet their needs.”
Brown said the federal money means state dollars will not be needed for the exchange. In all, Maryland has received $34.4 million in federal funds.
Analysts expect health care reform to save the state $850 million and halve the number of uninsured by 2020, though the federal law is being challenged in court as unconstitutional for requiring individuals to buy insurance. The matter is expected to be settled by the Supreme Court, though states including Maryland are moving ahead with implementation.
“One step at a time, we are making progress towards a healthier Maryland,” said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and chair of the Exchange Board. “Maryland’s Health Benefit Exchange will continue to engage with many partners to provide new access, affordability, and better health outcomes for Marylanders.”
Comments
Why is the richest state in the nation getting yet another Federal handout?
Sorry grand kids, more for you to pay off.
Posted by: John | August 12, 2011 2:08 PM
Sad day for Maryland,,,,,,,,,even more sad for our once great country.............we are quickly becoming Europe..........
Posted by: spy | August 12, 2011 2:09 PM
FABULOUS!! Can't wait to get this show on the road.
Posted by: Michelle Brown | August 12, 2011 3:18 PM
It doesn't make sense to implement anything or spend any money till we know whether the law is constitutional or not and my feeling is that it is not. It's all borrowed money anyway.
Posted by: Mike Brown | August 12, 2011 3:48 PM
With 34.4 million dollars awarded why will I have to pay anything for insurance? Use that money to pay for it for me.
Posted by: AVC | August 12, 2011 3:56 PM
Doesn't matter at this point. The money will be going back to Washington. ObummerCare was ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a FEDERAL Appeals Court today. Bye, bye Obummer.
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | August 12, 2011 5:49 PM
It'll be interesting to see if any of these states that are pro-active about setting up these insurance exchanges is able to build a system that works. Maryland is certainly well-positioned to give it a try.
Posted by: direwolfc | August 12, 2011 5:55 PM
WOW! Did this come BEFORE or AFTER the "individual mandate" was upheld as unconstitutional by the 11th CCOA.
If our fine Governor was an honest man and a fiscally responsible Governor, he would give this money back.
The "individual mandate" is the key to ObamAA+Care. Without it it fails or..........
Posted by: What timing | August 12, 2011 6:29 PM
More gravy for Democratic consultants.
Posted by: didactic1 | August 12, 2011 7:59 PM
Of course Ms Cohn and Walker will investigate if the millions in MD will go to the bottom line of lobbyists and attorneys tied into Martin O'Malley, Mikulski or Cardin?
Sorry. They are already on the case. What reporter with brains wouldn't figure out that "Affordable Care", the moniker for Obamacare, is one more slush fund for poltical parasites?
Posted by: didactic1 | August 12, 2011 8:02 PM
Obamacare according to the Congressional Budget Office and the Centers for Medicare and Medical Assistance both note this legislation will increase premiums, co-payments, deductibles and other costs structures. The federal money funds sent to Annapolis, is our own monies. Someone has to pay for this monstrosity. We the consumers will pay more. The dems including the governor have no bounds when lying to the public.
Posted by: Mark Davis, MD | August 16, 2011 1:30 PM
This is something to be positive about.
Take your negativity elsewhere.
Posted by: muzzi2 | August 16, 2011 3:14 PM
Hey the state goons in healthcare cannot get the Pac Trcat system to work for more than a day straight and they think they can start a healthcare data base? Good luck!! return the money because this will only benefit illegal's
Posted by: Goose | September 6, 2011 7:16 AM