Buying insurance through the state exchanges that opened yesterday under the federal health reform law should be easy, as long as you have access to the Internet and your state site is working. But for many rural residents it isn't that simple. That's a big problem in rural areas such as West Tennessee, where many aren't online or don't even have a computer. So far, the only solution officials can come up with is to advise people to use the Internet at their local library, Justin Hanson reports for WMC-TV in Memphis.
Quincy Barlow of the Delta Human Resource Agency, which serves about 25,000 residents in four counties where 41 percent of people are uninsured, told Hanson, "Really the only recommendation at this time is we just wait and see what happens. We hope by Friday to have an answer for them. I don't think it was fine tuned, that's my answer. I just don't think we have enough knowledge to proceed with it." (Read more)
One reason people in Tennessee don't have more information is that the administration of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam put obstacles in the paths of "navigators," the Obamacare name for workers who are being paid to explain the law and the exchanges to people who are unfamiliar with buying health insurance, and "anyone who might give advice on health insurance - which could include family, clergy, civic organizations or other acquaintances and advisers," reports The Associated Press. "The state insurance department made rules saying those navigators have to be registered with the state, be fingerprinted and have their backgrounds checked. The lawsuit challenged that rule, saying the way it's written, it's way too broad. The rules authorize a fine of $1,000 per violation."
The League of Women Voters, doctors, social workers and pastors have sued to void the regulation, saying it violates free speech. "Haslam said the rules covering people dispensing advice about the new health insurance exchange are not designed to hinder enrollment," AP reports. "Haslam said the background check requirement is meant to protect people from fraud." Several other states in Republican control have passed similar laws.
Quincy Barlow of the Delta Human Resource Agency, which serves about 25,000 residents in four counties where 41 percent of people are uninsured, told Hanson, "Really the only recommendation at this time is we just wait and see what happens. We hope by Friday to have an answer for them. I don't think it was fine tuned, that's my answer. I just don't think we have enough knowledge to proceed with it." (Read more)
One reason people in Tennessee don't have more information is that the administration of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam put obstacles in the paths of "navigators," the Obamacare name for workers who are being paid to explain the law and the exchanges to people who are unfamiliar with buying health insurance, and "anyone who might give advice on health insurance - which could include family, clergy, civic organizations or other acquaintances and advisers," reports The Associated Press. "The state insurance department made rules saying those navigators have to be registered with the state, be fingerprinted and have their backgrounds checked. The lawsuit challenged that rule, saying the way it's written, it's way too broad. The rules authorize a fine of $1,000 per violation."
The League of Women Voters, doctors, social workers and pastors have sued to void the regulation, saying it violates free speech. "Haslam said the rules covering people dispensing advice about the new health insurance exchange are not designed to hinder enrollment," AP reports. "Haslam said the background check requirement is meant to protect people from fraud." Several other states in Republican control have passed similar laws.
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