Despite the recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion, upholding the Health Care Law Congress passed in 2010, Republicans in Congress are already pledging prompt corrective action and Mitt Romney, a candidate for President, said, if elected, it will be his first act as President to repeal health care.
On the other hand, Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder and Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger have pledged to complete the enactment of pending legislation – SB 693, to create a new “MIHealth Marketplace Act” which would establish a state health exchange to help Michigan citizens obtain the healthcare coverage required under the federal mandate at reasonable rates.
The federal Act requires the states to design and implement an exchange for that purpose by January 1, 2014. If a state fails to do so, its citizens will be served by an exchange created by the federal government. SB 693 was introduced to comply with this requirement of the federal Act, and was passed by the Michigan Senate in November of 2011. Consideration of that legislation by the House of Representatives has been held in abeyance pending the issuance of the much-anticipated Supreme Court decision.
It remains uncertain, however, what the states will do, including Michigan, about Medicaid. We will just have to stay tuned! In the meantime, please contact Lansing Appellate Attorney, Graham Crabtree, of Fraser Trebilcock at 517.377.0895 with any information or questions or visit www.fraserlawfirm.com.