The Kentucky House has voted to require operation of a state-run healthcare exchange similar to Kynect. However the bill is unlikely to be considered in the state Senate.
House floor votes on the healthcare exchange bill and another measure to require an expansion of Medicaid, came early Tuesday evening. Governor Matt Bevin is dismantling Kynect, the state-run exchange developed under former Governor Steve Beshear, and moving the commonwealth to a federal exchange.
Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo said increasing healthcare coverage could positively impact premiums. “We spread the risk; we are giving care to people in a cost efficient manner and our rates are stabilized,” said Stumbo.
Providence Republican Representative Jim Gooch argued premiums have risen along with co-pays. “The problem that we have is that the people in this state have refused to even admit that there were people that were hurt,” Gooch said.
The state healthcare exchange bill passed 52 to 46 in the Democratic led House, followed by a 54 to 44 vote to expand Medicaid. Neither bill is likely to be voted on in the Republican controlled state Senate.?
