Even conservatives are arguing that state health exchanges will provide Nebraska more flexibility under the Obama health care mandate.

While we appreciate this hopeful, glass-is-half-full, eternal optimism; we unfortunately know the truth of the Obama health care takeover: President Obama did not prioritize this issue over economic issues or job creation in 2009 because it empowers the states.

The concept that Obama’s health care law offers states ‘autonomy’ is a farce.

First, and probably most important, HHS has not finished its final rule making on exchanges. Why on earth would Nebraska create an exchange before HHS has written the rules? The state would be putting blind faith in the Obama Administration – that is something Nebraskans do not want.

Visit our website by clicking here and add your name to the list of Nebraskans opposed to a state exchange.

Consider for a moment why the vast majority of Nebraskans oppose the Cornhusker Kickback and Obama’s health care takeover: because it was an unprecedented federal power grab.

Now both Republicans and Democrats in state legislatures across the country are hopeful they can save their states from the onerous federal provisions of Obama’s health care law by cooperating with the law and create exchanges.

Unfortunately, optimism does not make good public policy.

There are major problems with state health exchanges under the Obama model.

Under the Obama model HHS will be able to determine what constitutes an ‘essential’ health benefit. Prior to Obama’s health care take over this was a state prerogative, but is now the role of the federal government. State exchanges do not change this.

Click here and add your name to the list of Nebraskans opposed to a state exchange.

Honestly, state exchanges would not change much under the Obama model. HHS is telling us there must be an exchange system, but the choice of doing the work of implementing is up to the states. HHS tells us how to set up the exchange and HHS will tell the states who policies must be offered in the exchange.

The only options states have within the exchange system are to expand the program by offering single-payer system in their state, or to restrict insurers from participating and limit competition in the market place.

Letting government, whether it be federal or state, restrict competitors from the marketplace is crony capitalism.

This crony capitalsim will cost you more for health insurance and will do nothing to provide greater access to quality care. Nebraska should have nothing to do with it.

Join AFP-Nebraska by clicking here and add your name to the list of Nebraskans opposed to a state exchange.