AARP to Lawmakers: Let's Get Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Right

AARP Urges Legislators to Support State-Based Marketplace to Help Individuals & Small Biz Better Afford Their Health Insurance

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the start of the 2012 Idaho state legislative session just around the corner, talk is starting to turn to the hot topics, among them: the creation of a state based health insurance marketplace and how, and if, to spend a $20.4 million federal grant to make it happen. The issue and proposed draft legislation will come before the state legislative Health Care Taskforce today and AARP Idaho is urging legislators to support measures that will ensure individual consumers and small businesses get the same deal on health insurance costs as large businesses currently have.

AARP does have some concerns with prior drafts of legislation creating the marketplace, such as allowing insurance agents to act as "navigators" to help consumers find plans; the Association warns that this can be not only a conflict of interest, but also a "cat-watching-the-canary" approach that may not be in the best interest of the consumer.  AARP also strongly believes that the needs and concerns of individuals must come before those of the insurance industry in a marketplace; from having strong representation on any board overseeing the marketplace to ensuring marketplace policies are consumer-centered.

"AARP urges state lawmakers to work to develop an Idaho based solution in the form of a health insurance marketplace, to what has become a state and nationwide crisis," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "Idahoans deserve health insurance they can afford, that will give them the coverage they need, and, if properly implemented, an Idaho Health Insurance marketplace can provide both those things."

If states opt not to establish their own health insurance marketplaces, the federal government will run the marketplace for the state.  Idaho has roughly 234,000 people, or 15% of the population, without health insurance. According to recent AARP surveys, health care costs, including the ability to afford health insurance, are a top concern for the state's 50+ (http://bit.ly/gBePOb).  

"Idaho is in the best position to develop its own health insurance marketplace, but we must ensure that it is one that will work to benefit individuals and small businesses in the state," added Wordelman. "On behalf of every Idahoan who can't afford skyrocketing health insurance costs, we're calling on legislators to get this right."

In the coming legislative session, AARP plans to work with the governor, lawmakers and key decision makers to help Idaho move towards the creation of a State Health Insurance Marketplace that centers on the needs of Idahoans of all ages

"While there have been some reports of opposition to creating this marketplace to help so many Idahoans better afford their health insurance, AARP is optimistic lawmakers will come together just as the insurance industry, businesses and advocates have, to move a meaningful plan forward," added Wordelman.

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with over 180,000 members.

Follow us on Twitter @AARPIdaho and Facebook: AARP Idaho

SOURCE AARP Idaho