It’s official: Arkansas will partner with the federal government on the health-insurance exchange required by the Affordable Care Act. No surprise.

Insurance companies will be charged an additional 3.5 percent federal processing fee on policies sold on the exchange because Arkansas opted against a state-run exchange. This fee will presumably be passed on to consumers, though most consumers will be protected from premium increases by the ACA’s regulation of price variation on the exchange and subsidies to help people between 100 and 400 percent of the poverty line.

Advertisement

The deadline for states to decide whether to run their own exchange is this Friday and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday there would be no extension. Gov. Mike Beebe , who supports a state-run exchange, suggested that the state could opt for a state-run model down the road if legislators change their mind. According to HHS, states can apply at any time to run the exchange themselves in future years.

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Rick Ross Verizon Arena concert, remainder of his tour canceled Next article Store robbery in Mablevale