Fallin did the Right Thing!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

FALLIN DID THE RIGHT THING!

by Steve Fair

A big part of ObamaCare is the establishment of health care exchanges from which individuals may purchase health insurance that is eligible for federal subsidies.  Under federal law all state exchanges must be fully up and operational by January 1, 2014 or the federal government will set up one for that state.  Exchanges are not themselves insurers, so they do not bear risk themselves, but determine the insurance companies that are allowed to participate in the exchange.

*****

For an insurance company to participate in a health care exchange, they have to agree to not refuse to insure any individual, limit their price variations, and eliminate lifetime and annual limits on claims. 

*****

Benjamin Domenech, a research fellow at the Heartland Institute urges state governments to take only the bare minimum of steps necessary in regard to health care exchanges.  “Ideally, state officials would choose not to implement an exchange at all.  In declining to implement an exchange under Obamacare, state policy leaders should use this historic moment to make progress toward real and necessary reform. They should demand from Washington the reforms necessary to replace the president’s one-size-fits-all, nationalized health care plan with one that empowers states and individuals to adapt, innovate, and succeed.”

*****
Last week, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin did just that- she announced that Oklahoma would not be setting up a health care exchange.  “For the past few months, my staff and I have worked with other lawmakers, Oklahoma stakeholders and health care experts across the country to determine the best course of action for Oklahoma in regards to both the creation of a health insurance exchange and the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Our priority has been to ascertain what can be done to increase quality and access to health care, contain costs, and do so without placing an undue burden on taxpayers or the state. As I have stated many times before, it is my firm belief that PPACA fails to further these goals, and will in fact decrease the quality of health care across the United States while contributing to the nation’s growing deficit crisis,” Fallin said at a news conference last Monday.
***** 
Oklahoma Speaker of the House elect T.W. Shannon, (R-Lawton) agreed with Fallin’s decision.  “I applaud Gov. Fallin for her courage in taking a stand for the people of Oklahoma. Oklahomans have long opposed Obamacare because they recognize how intrusive and unworkable the law is going to be.  Our Medicaid program is already unsustainable and needs to be reformed at the state level with solutions that reflect our unique challenges. Regarding the health insurance exchanges, it is important to understand that even if we were to create an exchange, the rules are written in Washington, D.C. and the exchanges are going to be controlled by the federal government. The law does not give the state enough flexibility to create an exchange model that would work for Oklahomans,” Shannon said.
*****
So why did Governor Fallin take this action? 
*****
First, because in 2010, Oklahomans overwhelmingly approved SQ 756 which allowed individuals to ‘opt out’ of ObamaCare.  That wasn’t just a protest vote- SQ 756 amended the Oklahoma State Constitution allowing individuals to not to participate in the individual mandate. 
*****
The second reason to not establish a health care exchange is the uncertainty of the cost.  It is unclear how much a health care exchange would cost Oklahoma taxpayers.  It would be irresponsible and reckless of elected officials to just plow ahead not knowing what lays in the row.

*****

The third reason is that Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has a lawsuit pending in U.S. District Court against ObamaCare.  Pruitt’s lawsuit challenges the IRS unlawful attempt to impose ObamaCare’s taxes on exempt employers and individuals.  If successful, it could be the first thread to unravel ObamaCare. 

*****

President Obama is right about one thing: Americans deserve a better health care system. But the best course would be one that will move us to a more consumer-focused, market-driven approach, not one of socialized medicine.

*****

The Governor, Pruitt and other statewide elected officials along with state legislators take an oath to uphold the Oklahoma state constitution.  Fallin did what she was supposed to do- uphold the Constitution.  She should be applauded for her courage.