Dept. of Insurance to Hold Public Forums on Federal Health Care Law

(Lincoln, Neb.) Nebraska Department of Insurance Director Bruce Ramge today announced three upcoming forums for the public and stakeholders to discuss the state’s available options for health insurance exchanges.    The meetings will focus on the required planning and development of health insurance exchanges which are part of the federal health care law.  

“While these meetings are mandated as part of the federal health care law, the Department of Insurance is committed to an open and transparent process as we decide on our exchange participation options,” said Insurance Director Ramge. “I hope the public and stakeholders will join me and Deputy Director Christy Neighbors for these important meetings in Gering, Kearney and Norfolk.”

MEDIA AVAILABILITIES: Director Ramge and Deputy Director Neighbors will hold a media availability at 5:00 p.m. local time, prior to each meeting.

• SCOTTSBLUFF/GERING: Thursday, Feb. 17, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St., GERING,   5:30‐9:00 p.m. MT
• KEARNEY: Friday, Feb. 18, University of Nebraska – Kearney, Student Union‐ Ponderosa Room, 1013 W 27th St, KEARNEY, 5:30‐ 9:00 p.m. CT
• NORFOLK: Monday, Feb. 21, Northeast Community College, Life Long Learning Center 801 East Benjamin Ave., NORFOLK, 5:30‐9:00 p.m. CT

The meetings will offer a presentation describing the exchange and available options for structuring an exchange. There will also be testimony from those in attendance regarding these issues.

A health insurance exchange is a set of state‐regulated and standardized health care plans, from which individuals may purchase health insurance that is eligible for federal subsidies.   Nebraska is currently considering whether to operate an exchange on its own, as part of a group of states, or allowing the federal government to operate the exchange.   

An agenda is available on the Department of Insurance website located at www.doi.ne.gov/healthcarereform/exchange/index.htm. Lincoln and Omaha meetings will be scheduled and published in the near future.