Uncertainty in Kansas over essential health benefits ruling

Sep 5 2012

Gov. Brownback has not said whether his administration will make a recommendation on what basic health benefits should be available to Kansans who seek health insurance through the new marketplaces to be set up under the health care law.

Kansas Health Institute News: Governor Faces Another Decision On Health Reform Implementation
State insurance regulators are preparing a recommendation for Gov. Sam Brownback on what basic benefits should be available to Kansans who seek health insurance through the new online purchasing exchange that federal officials expect to be operational here within about 16 months. A three-hour hearing to collect public input on what should constitute the state's "essential health benefits" benchmark plan is scheduled for Wednesday. ... Spokesmen for Brownback this week said they were unable to say whether the governor would pass on making a recommendation regarding essential benefits as he did on returning the exchange grant (Shields, 9/3).

Meanwhile, brokers and agents seek  role in Minn. exchanges.

Minnesota Public Radio: Business Groups Frustrated Over Lack Of Information On Health Exchange
Officials representing health insurance agents and brokers in Minnesota will have their first meeting on Tuesday with state Commerce Commissioner Michael Rothman to discuss concerns they have raised. The brokers and agents are worried that state officials are implementing the federal health care law in ways that will hurt their business. They and other Minnesota business groups also say they are frustrated by what they call a lack of transparency as Rothman's department develops one of the foundations of the law: a health insurance exchange (Stawicki, 9/4).