South Carolina’s governor has essentially told the federal government (and, specifically, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius) to shove it.
Under the “Affordable Care Act”/”Obamacare” law, the states are supposed to set up individual health insurance exchanges to be effective in 2014 (really they’re to be up and running by October 1, 2013). The fact is, only a couple states are likely to have their ducks in a row to do so by then. Part of that is due to vagueness in the rules and regulations and part of that is due to the typical pace of government.
South Carolina, like many other states, has decided they’re not going to do so. In her letter declaring such, Governor Haley cites the vague rules and requirements as well as a fear that cumbersome financial burdens would fall on the state’s taxpayers.
The federal government will have its own federal exchange that will be available to those in states like South Carolina that refuse to set up their own exchange.
