Defender of Freedom and Liberty Wrote:
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>
Two states win approval for ObamaCare backup
> plans
>
>
"Both Delaware and Pennsylvania have won
> approval from the federal government to pursue
> back-up plans to save their ObamaCare subsidies if
> the healthcare law loses in court this month.
>
> The two states have been "conditionally approved"
> to set up their own healthcare marketplaces, the
> Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
> announced late Monday.
>
> It is the administration's biggest step to date
> related to contingency planning for the
> high-stakes court case, and sends an important
> signal to the dozens of other states that may
> consider setting up an exchange in order to save
> their subsidies.
>
> Delaware and Pennsylvania are among the estimated
> 34 states that stand to lose healthcare subsidies
> if the Supreme Court rules against ObamaCare this
> month in King v. Burwell. They are the only two
> states to have submitted contingency plans for the
> ruling.
>
> If the Obama administration loses in the case, any
> state that does not run its own marketplace –
> also known as an exchange – would no longer be
> able to hand out subsidies to people buying
> healthcare.
>
> Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews
> Burwell sent letters to both states' health
> officials, in which she congratulated them for
> "reaching this significant milestone." Neither
> letter mentions the court case.
>
> "These Marketplaces will be the gateway for each
> state’s residents and small businesses to shop
> for a broad choice of affordable, quality health
> insurance coverage," the agency wrote in a
> statement, which also announced new approval for a
> small business marketplace in Arkansas.
>
> "We will continue to work collaboratively with
> States to provide the guidance and assistance they
> need to help consumers and small businesses
> compare and sign up for affordable private health
> insurance plans,” the agency wrote."