Betsy Russell reports Blue Cross of Idaho has issued a statement in response to this morning’s ruling on health care reform, saying, “In Idaho, our major focus should now be on establishing a state-based health insurance exchange. As the law currently stands, states must have taken steps to implement a state-based exchange by January 1, 2013, or risk losing control of the individual insurance marketplace to the federal government.” Click below for their full statement.

“Blue Cross of Idaho has been implementing all aspects of the Affordable Care Act since it was passed in March of 2010, and will continue to enact all provisions as the federal government releases the regulations and additional rules clarifying the meaning of the law. Blue Cross of Idaho remains committed to providing affordable health insurance to all Idahoans, even as the insurance marketplace continues to change.

“In Idaho, our major focus should now be on establishing a state-based health insurance exchange. As the law currently stands, states must have taken steps to implement a state-based exchange by January 1, 2013, or risk losing control of the individual insurance marketplace to the federal government. While questions remain about the implementation of exchanges and healthcare reform in general, a state-based exchange ensures Idahoans are clearly represented when deciding how they will purchase individual insurance in the future.”