Local reaction offers insights into how states view the exchange reg

For some states, significant questions still remain. Others are already well underway in their efforts to develop these health insurance marketplaces.

Georgia Health News: Feds Ease Rules, Deadlines On Exchanges
How the new rules will play out in Georgia remains unclear. Gov. Nathan Deal, though strongly opposed to the reform law, has formed a committee on health exchanges. It had its first meeting at the state Capitol in June (Miller, 7/11).

Minnesota Public Radio: Officials Prepare For New Health Insurance Rules, Overhaul
Some Minnesota health insurance experts are welcoming the Obama Administration's proposal to soften deadlines for a cornerstone program of the health care overhaul. ... Due to the state government shutdown, no one was available from the Minnesota Commerce Department to comment on the new federal regulations. But additional flexibility could be particularly helpful to the state because the shutdown has already halted a major market research project. The state is also seeking proposals for development of the exchange's online infrastructure. Submissions are due next Wednesday (Stawicki, 7/12).

Politico Pro: Indiana: After Reg, Questions Remain
A key state still on the fence about implementing a health exchange complained that the nearly 350 pages of federal rules released Monday still leave many questions unanswered about the online insurance markets. The early reaction from Indiana, which was one of the first states to win an exchange establishment grant, shows that it's going to take a number of upcoming exchange-related federal rules before some states make a final call about whether to build the new marketplaces (Millman, 7/12).

The association that represents health insurers also offered its take on the rule —

Modern Healthcare: Insurance Exchanges Need To Be True Marketplaces, AHIP Says
The association representing the nation's health insurers said health insurance exchanges should be true marketplaces where competition can thrive, while at least one market analyst said exchanges still represent a "promising opportunity" for the sector. The comments were in response to the much-anticipated proposed regulation released by HHS on Monday on state-based health insurance exchanges (Vesely, 7/11).