Ohio health insurance exchange

Kasich administration considers federally run exchange lesser of two evils

By Carla  Anderson
healthinsurance.org contributor

Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who also directs the state’s insurance department, announced in July that Ohio will not implement a health insurance exchange. That means the federal government will operate the exchange in the state. Gov. John Kasich had previously said Ohio would run its own exchange rather than an “Obama exchange.” Taylor says the administration changed its mind due to cost: $30 to $40 million annually for a state-run exchange versus less than $2 million for a federally operated exchange. State health reform proponents have challenged those estimates, saying Taylor is presenting the worst-case scenario and ignoring caveats included by Milliman, one of two consultants on whose analysis the estimate is based.

Both the governor and lieutenant governor are well-known for their opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and a majority of Ohio voters are opposed to the law’s individual mandate. In November 2011, nearly 66% of voters voted for the Ohio Healthcare Freedom Amendment, which says no person, employer or provider can be compelled to participate in a healthcare system. However, given the Supreme Court ruling in June 2012, the passage of the amendment has little effect.

Updated Sept. 21, 2012

More Ohio health insurance exchange links

State Exchange Profile: Ohio
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation overview of Ohio’s progress toward creating a state health insurance exchange.

Affordable Care Act in Your State: Ohio

Ohio Department of Insurance
Assists consumers who have purchased insurance on the individual market or who have insurance through an employer who only does business in Ohio.
(800) 686-1526 / life.health.mcd@insurance.ohio.gov