BY MICHAEL MARTZ Richmond Times-Dispatch | Posted: Monday, February 11, 2013 2:36 pm
House and Senate committees today approved legislation that would authorize the State Corporation Commission to manage health insurance plans sold on the health benefits exchange that the federal government will begin operating in Virginia Jan. 1.
The legislation was amended in both houses to make clear that the state is not seeking to operate its own exchange under the Affordable Care Act. However, the amended legislation would allow the state to assist the federal government in operating a hybrid or partnership exchange.
The House Commerce and Labor Committee passed the amended version of Senate Bill 922, sponsored by Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, in an impromptu meeting on the floor of the House of Delegates after adjournment.
This afternoon the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee approved an amended version of the companion bill, House Bill 1769, introduced by Del. Terry Kilgore R-Scott.
Last week a spokesman for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli had objected to the legislation as it was initially drafted, saying it committed Virginia to operating a state-run exchange.