Health insurance in Alabama could be facing some big changes with health care reform upon us.  The article by Dana Beyerle on The Gadsden Times talks the inaugural meeting held last month.  Governor Robert Bentley’s Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission met at the Capitol auditorium in September.  The commission was created in June to help the state of Alabama comply with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which is requiring states to have health insurance exchanges.

Bentley says he has a vision for health insurance in Alabama that will ultimately improve the health of residents.  His vision for the Alabama Health Insurance Exchange is to allow residents to purchase the health insurance policy that best suits their individual needs while still maintaining competition among insurers to ensure fair prices.  He is hopeful that the members of the commission will work to find the best health insurance exchange for the people of Alabama and their families.

Commission Co-Chairman Senator Greg Reed points out that if the state doesn’t create their own exchange, then the federal government will do it for them.  Many experts agree it’s best to keep the control in the state so they won’t need the federal government’s intervention.  The main goal is to be able to offer health insurance to the uninsured.  The other co-chairman, Rep. Jim McClendon believes Alabama should create their own exchanges and think this is an interesting challenge because the concept functions as an entry portal for those shopping around for health insurance.  Ideally, comparing life insurance benefits and prices will be a much smoother process for Alabama residents once the exchanges are in effect.

Written by Sam Tabes

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/smartshopper78