From Adam Linker of the N.C. Health Access Coalition:
No vote was taken today in the House Insurance Committee on the industry bill to establish a health benefits exchange in North Carolina.
There was great confusion over how much the exchange would cost and who is serving on the board of the exchange. Despite actuarial reports from consultants at Milliman saying the exchange in likely to cost more than $20 million per year, Rep. Jerry Dockham says that he has evidence that the exchange might cost next to nothing.
Rep. Dockham seemed unclear about how many seats insurance companies can occupy on the board that runs the health benefits exchange. He said at one point during the meeting that there is nothing stopping insurance companies from taking every seat on the board.
Next week the insurance committee will open with public comment and then consider amendments on the bill. Rep. Dockham says he intends to vote the legislation out next week.
Creative Commons Attribution