Michigan Moves Toward State-Federal Partnership Health Exchange

Gov. Rick Snyder has filed a grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) to collaborate with the federal government on a state partnership exchange (SPE). The governor said, however, that if additional federal deadlines are extended or the Michigan Legislature takes action authorizing a state-based exchange, then Michigan may exercise its option for the proposed MI Health Marketplace. Snyder has not yet filed a declaration letter formally choosing Michigan’s path.

“Ensuring that Michigan residents have the best available quality health care and customer service has been a priority from Day One. I have felt strongly that a Michigan-run MI Health Marketplace could further accomplish this goal. That said, we must be realistic about how feasible implementing this could be under the current federal timeframes. At this point we’re moving toward a state partnership exchange. However, we will continue to work with our legislative partners and seek more details and clarity from the federal government to make a final determination on Michigan’s path forward – whether that’s a state partnership exchange or state-based exchange.”

Thursday, Nov. 15, was a key funding deadline. There are also multiple operational deadlines, some of which have changed twice in the past week. The next major milestone is now Dec. 14, 2012, when states must declare if they wish to operate their own exchanges. Under current federal rules, all exchanges must be operational on Oct.1, 2013.