November 28, 2012

State posts a job, sparks a mystery

It's to coordinate a health insurance exchange, which Gov. LePage has previously sworn not to implement.

By Kelley Bouchard kbouchard@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

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Quintero said there is talk among some Republicans and among Democrats, who regained majorities in the House and Senate in this month's elections, about establishing a state health insurance exchange in the future to ensure more local oversight.

It's unclear how the position, with an annual salary range of $58,926 to $81,182, will be funded. Treat noted that the LePage administration has already returned about $6 million in federal money that was allocated to help Maine establish a state health insurance exchange.

Without a state exchange, Treat said, it will be critical for Maine to establish a seamless connection between the federal exchange and MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program. About half of the states plan to use the federal exchange, she said.

New coverage options under the Affordable Care Act will take effect Jan. 1, 2014, subsidizing as much as 80 percent of health insurance costs for qualified people who don't have insurance, Treat said.

Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:

kbouchard@pressherald.com

CORRECTION: This story was updated Wednesday, Nov. 28 to reflect the correct spelling of Anne Head's name. Head is the commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

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