October 15, 2012

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Ballot Preview: Health Insurance Exchanges (Proposition E)

The final issue I am previewing before the November election is one of the most important we have seen in our states recent history, because it gives voters the opportunity to rightfully express their opinions and concerns regarding their government. Proposition E deals with the formation of health insurance exchanges, yet another burden in a long string of mandates from the federal government relating to nationalized health care. Passage of Proposition E would keep the governor, or any state agency, from putting together an exchange without a vote or legislative action. This exact incident almost happened last year. Had it not been for some fast-acting lawmakers, no one would have known about the governor taking action toward a health insurance exchange until it was too late. Here is what folks will see on Nov. 6: Official Ballot Title:

Shall Missouri Law be amended to prohibit the Governor or any state agency, from establishing or operating state-based health insurance exchanges unless authorized by a vote of the people or by the Legislature? No direct costs or savings for state and local governmental entities are expected from this proposal. Indirect costs or savings related to enforcement actions, missed federal funding, avoided implementation costs, and other issues are unknown. Fair Ballot Language: A yes vote will amend Missouri law to prohibit the governor or any state agency, from establishing or operating state-based health insurance exchanges unless authorized by a vote of the people or by the Legislature. A no vote will not amend Missouri law to prohibit the governor or any state agency, from establishing or operating state-based health insurance exchanges unless authorized by a vote of the people or by the Legislature. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. We have to get a handle on overreaching federal government regulations. They have gone five years without passing a budget in Washington, D.C., at the same time Missouri has not only passed budgets, but balanced budgets. Regulations are coming at a breakneck pace, spending has never been higher and confidence in elected officials on Capitol Hill remains in the single-digits. Folks are tired and fed up, and adding the weight of a health insurance exchange helps no one. Unfortunately, the exchanges are yet another mandate. The choice is we can either set one up

ourselves, or the federal government will do it for us. They dangle a bunch of money at us, and then pull it away in the second year, which means we will have to find more money from somewhere. The estimated cost to establish a health insurance exchange is $50 million. We have had an unbelievable time trying to balance the state budget over the past four years. Now, the federal government wants us to find another $50 million? How? Where? I am hoping for big turnout at the polls in November, and I pray we will be able to turn things around before it is too late.

Senator Stouffer serves the counties of Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray, Saline, and a part of Clay. If you have questions or comments about this or any other issue, please call toll free (866) 768-3987 or by e-mail at bstouffer@senate.mo.gov.
bstouffer@senate.mo.gov | www.senate.mo.gov/stouffer State Capitol, Room 332, Jefferson City, MO 65101 | (866) 768-3987