Center for Rural Affairs Applauds Nebraska Health Care Marketplace Bill - Proposed legislation will create new competitive health insurance marketplace in Nebraska
Release Date:
01/05/2012
Contact(s):
Brian Depew, (402) 687-2103 ext 1015, briand@cfra.org
or Jon Bailey, (402) 687-2103 ext 1013, jonb@cfra.org
Lyons, NE - Today the Center for Rural Affairs applauded the introduction of Nebraska Legislative Bill 835, a bill to create a new health insurance marketplace in Nebraska.
“Passing legislation in Nebraska this session is important to meet our responsibility under the federal Affordable Care Act,” said Brain Depew, Assistant Director at the Center for Rural Affairs. “This proposal will create a new competitive marketplace where Nebraska small businesses, farmers and ranchers and the self-employed can shop for health insurance coverage.”
The bill was introduced by Senator Nordquist who was joined by Senators Ashford, Campbell, Cook, Dubas, Gloor, Hadley, Harr, Howard, and Mello as initial sponsors of the legislation.
Depew further explained that the proposed legislation will:
Increase choice and competition in the health insurance marketplace, especially for small businesses, the self-employed and farmers and ranchers
Create an independent board, including consumer and small business representatives to oversee the new marketplace
Act as the delivery point for tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance for individuals making less than $88,000 for a family of 4, or 400% of the poverty line
According to Depew, if Nebraska fails to take action to create a new health insurance marketplace, the federal government will set up an exchange in the state.
“When the health benefits marketplace is set up, individuals, farmers, small business owners and their employees will be able to purchase comprehensive and continuous coverage," Depew concluded. "This is an important step forward in ensuring all rural Nebraskans have access to quality care.”
A copy of the proposed legislation can be found at this link (http://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Intro/LB835.pdf) and a bill summary can be found at this link (http://files.cfra.org/pdf/NE-Exchange-Summary.pdf).
The bill was introduced by Senator Nordquist who was joined by Senators Ashford, Campbell, Cook, Dubas, Gloor, Hadley, Harr, Howard, and Mello as initial sponsors of the legislation.
Depew further explained that the proposed legislation will:
Increase choice and competition in the health insurance marketplace, especially for small businesses, the self-employed and farmers and ranchers
Create an independent board, including consumer and small business representatives to oversee the new marketplace
Act as the delivery point for tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance for individuals making less than $88,000 for a family of 4, or 400% of the poverty line
According to Depew, if Nebraska fails to take action to create a new health insurance marketplace, the federal government will set up an exchange in the state.
“When the health benefits marketplace is set up, individuals, farmers, small business owners and their employees will be able to purchase comprehensive and continuous coverage," Depew concluded. "This is an important step forward in ensuring all rural Nebraskans have access to quality care.”
A copy of the proposed legislation can be found at this link (http://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Intro/LB835.pdf) and a bill summary can be found at this link (http://files.cfra.org/pdf/NE-Exchange-Summary.pdf).
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