Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says the state will now move forward with the establishment of a health insurance exchange now that the Supreme Court has ruled on the constitutionality of the federal health care overhaul.Beshear issued this statement today: “This Supreme Court decision removes much of the uncertainty about the Affordable Care Act.Kentucky has been systematically preparing to meet the implementation deadlines set forth in the bill as a precautionary matter, and now we will move ahead to establish a state-operated Health Benefit Exchange. I will soon issue an Executive Order to create the state health insurance exchange so Kentucky will be prepared to operate it by the date the law requires.We continue to review the Supreme Court’s opinion, particularly on the Medicaid portion of the Affordable Care Act to determine what our options may be. “ Statement from Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Audrey Haynes:“As the Governor has directed, the Cabinet will continue plans to establish a state-operated Health Benefit Exchange. A great deal of preliminary work to establish the Exchange has already been done at the state level and significant federal grant funding has been received. The Governor will issue an executive order soon to create the Exchange, and we are developing plans for a series of forums to gather input from around the state."We continue to review the ruling to fully understand all the implications of the decision.”
