Does New York have a role in implementing health reform or will the federal government be completely responsible?
States, including New York, have a role in health reform. For example, states have the option to set up their own health insurance exchange. For the most part, federal health reform establishes a “floor, not ceiling,” allowing states to provide protections greater than those established under federal law. This is good news for New York, which already provides strong consumer protections, such as open enrollment and community rating that ensures access to health insurance coverage without regard to age, sex, health status and occupation. New York will work in partnership with the federal government to implement the federal law and coordinate it with New York law. States also provided input to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in developing guidance in a number of areas including consumer assistance and the review and disclosure of premium rate adjustments.
