- Exchanges: On June 2, 2011, Governor Bentley issued an executive order creating the Alabama Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission. The Commission shared its findings with the legislature, and in 2012 the Alabama House passed legislation to create an exchange, but the bill did not pass the Senate and died on adjournment (H.B. 245). Governor Bentley said in July that he will wait until after the November elections before deciding whether to proceed with an exchange.
- Essential Health Benefits: Alabama has not taken any significant steps towards establishing essential health benefits benchmarks. The Exchange Study Commission has made preliminary recommendations to the state, but no formal legislation has been proposed.
- Medicaid Expansion: Governor Bentley announced on November 13 that Alabama will not participate in the Medicaid expansion.
- Medicare Advantage Enrollment: Alabama currently has 204,897 seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare Advantage, or about 23% of all Medicare beneficiaries.
NEWS OF NOTE
» The Gadsden Times – Governor Bentley: Medicaid Expansion Decision to Come After Presidential Election
» FOX Affiliate – Alabama Leaders React to SCOTUS Ruling
» Governor Bentley Responds to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare (press release)
» Birmingham News – Enrollment Surges in Alabama Health Plan for Pre-Existing Illnesses
» WSFA Alabama – Governor Promises Veto of Insurance Exchange Bill
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