Assessing Health Exchange Focus Groups

During the Oct. 6 Health Planning Committee Meeting, members discuss results of focus groups that were asked questions regarding the health insurance exchange.

One member asks what means were used to determine the familiarity of the focus groups with the actual legislation, in order to assess the validity of their opinions?

The Oddities of Surveying Opinions on the Federal Health Care Overhaul

Focus group members who were questioned about the health insurance exchange concept were selected through physician recommendation, reputation or other arbitrary means.

Specific knowledge of the health insurance exchange concept did not play a key role in selection of focus groups, according to discussions during the Oct. 6 Health Planning Committee Meeting.

The Difference Between State - and Federally-Based Exchanges

During the Oct. 6 Health Planning Committee Meeting, Sen. Mike Rose asks about the difference between a state and federal health exchange? A S.C.-based exchange would give the state more control over health insurance concerns than a federal exchange, Rose is told.

Rose: Let's Do Things the Way We Want Them Done

State Sen. Mike Rose said during a recent meeting of the S.C. Health Planning Committee that if South Carolina sets up a health insurance exchange, "We're going to do it the way we want it to be done."

Keck: Focus Needs to be on Health

S.C. Department of Health and Human Services Director Tony Keck says he wants the S.C. Health Planning Committee to be more focused on health during a recent meeting of the group.

Keck said the state might have to take on thousands of new employees, while not affecting affordability.

Changes Needed to S.C.'s Health Care Delivery System

S.C. Department of Health and Human Services Director Tony Keck said during a recent meeting of the S.C. Health Planning Committee that a more transparent and affordable health care delivery system is needed in South Carolina.

States becoming operational arm of private insurance?

Tony Keck, Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, questions why South Carolina should scramble to meet federal health exchange deadlines just to become the "operations arm" of the private insurance industry.

Will feds be flexible on health reform law dates?

Anne Castro of BlueCross and BlueShield of S.C. and Rep. Bill Sandifer discuss how likely federal health reform deadlines are to be met, and the fines the state might incur for missing them.

Privately, No One Wants Health Exchange

Members the Competitiveness and Transparency subcommitte have a difficult time finding a positive take on the Health Exchange system.