Part I of this legislation consists of language from HB 707 which prohibits county officials or employees from expending money or using human resources or assets to advocate or influence the citizens of this state in support of the voluntary expansion of Medicaid beyond the eligibility criteria in effect under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Similarly, counties would be prohibited from starting their own health care exchange or participating in a health care exchange provided by a nonprofit organization. There are provisions to protect local governments from acting as a part of their official duty, when on personal time, and when providing bona fide educational instruction about the ACA. Nothing in the bill precludes the state from participating in any Medicaid program. Lastly, it prohibits the state, agencies and political subdivisions from establishing, operating, or implementing a navigator program or it's equivalent.      

 

The language prohibiting the Commissioner of Insurance from implementing or enforcing the ACA was deleted from the final version of the bill.