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Gov. Nikki Haley to Feds: We Won't Participate in Health Care Exchange

Letter sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

In a move she's been promising for some time, Gov. Nikki Haley informed officials with the federal government that South Carolina "should not and will not set up a state-based health care exchange.

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secetary Kathleen Sebelius, Haley said that the state-based exchange exists in "name only" and that instead it makes mandates on the state through the creation of a new bureaucracy.

The letter is attached to this article.

The governor also said that the state has not received clear instructions on how the exchanges will work and requested a delay in implementation.

“The amount of uncertainty in our economy is growing given the lack of information available from the federal government at a time when we can hardly afford it,” the governor wrote.

Sen. Jim DeMint released the following statement upon hearing of Haley's decision:

“Governor Haley should be applauded for standing up for South Carolina patients, doctors, and taxpayers by opposing the creation of an Obamacare exchange in our state,” said Senator DeMint. “Her decision will help shield South Carolina from job destroying tax increases on state businesses, save taxpayers millions of dollars in set up costs, and allow our state to fight for health care solutions that don’t limit choices of families and doctors. Obamacare is already failing, forcing businesses across the country to cut back wages and hours while increasing health care costs and things will only get worse. We must continue to fight for full repeal of this government takeover and for commonsense solutions that expand health care freedom.”

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stanley seigler November 16, 2012 at 04:06 pm
re: Last time I [wes] checked, socialism and socialized medicine have always and will always fail...
check again...FYI per WHO we rank #1 in cost of and #38 in quality of health care...all countries ranked above USA have socialized health care. why do folks post misinformation? think maybe, 'whether knowingly or unconsciously, they choose to shape facts selectively, blocking out those that don't fit an agenda or program.' (quote by??) opine: SC (all states) will eventually participate in health care exchanges...in the mean time gov haley does the, T-GOP pandering, kabuki dance. she learned the 'flipflop spin' from MITTens. oh/and BO-care is a positive first step to universal (socialized) health care.
Shawn Drury (Editor) November 16, 2012 at 04:14 pm
I forget who said it, but: "Somehow we've gotten to the point where if you own a business and work the system you're considered 'smart.' But if you work the system and you're a person you're a 'mooch.'"
Jonathan Allen (Editor) November 16, 2012 at 04:24 pm
@Tom Utley,
Nullification? Really? That's not 1860s policy, that's 1820s policy. Where is Andrew Jackson when you need him?
Tom Utley November 16, 2012 at 04:34 pm
Do you understand that if you want to offer insurance, there is a maze of regulations that you have to go through? You can't just offer "catastrophic" insurance. You have to offer full plans that cover the entire family, which are extremely expensive. So what you're basically saying is that people who hire more than 50 people should bankrupt their business.... that would be great huh.
Tom Utley November 16, 2012 at 04:36 pm
Actually it is 2012 policy, as several states have already nullified federal laws.
Virginia nullified the indefinite detention provision of the NDAA. Montana, Colorado, and some other states nullified marijuana prohibition. Alabama and I believe one other state nullified the ACA. Get with the times :-)
Jonathan Allen (Editor) November 16, 2012 at 04:39 pm
@Bret
cute idea, but there isn't an entrenched gun insurance industry currently denying gun ownership to 30+ million people because of pre-existing trigger-fingeritis, and you don't have to first go to your primary gun dealer to get a referral to go see the specialist gun dealer for a larger caliber weapon, nor is everyone already required by federal law to pay for the "gun care" needs of people without "gun care" insurance when they show up at a gun show with no way to pay for the glock that they need.
Ken November 16, 2012 at 04:51 pm
John Schafer wrote:
I will not respond to you any further, you are simply not worth my time. IOW, you know that what you said was hypocritical and you refuse to admit it.
Ken November 16, 2012 at 04:55 pm
IOW, you people do not believe in the first amendment right to freedom of speech.
reg November 16, 2012 at 05:03 pm
Tom, those states made changes to their state laws regarding possession. They did not change or overrule the federal laws about it. Two different things. Virginia's bill on NDAA is an embarrassing joke upon that state - NDAA is the defense budget bill; some complained about terms its commonly used, so the president sent it back and wouldn't sign it until it specified that the detention clause was in no way applicable to US citizens. Not good enough for WND and Alex Jones fans, though, who keep coming up with stupid stuff like Virginia's (complete irrelevant) bill. As for your copied/pasted critique of ACA, I love it how some folks try to blame the govt for tricks pulled by insurance companies ...
Tom Utley November 16, 2012 at 05:14 pm
Reg, nothing you just said was factually accurate.
I don't have time to explain everything, so I'll just pick out one: The President signed the bill with indefinite detention still in place. Read his signing statement. Then a federal judge granted an injunction against the bill, specifically because of indefinite detention. Then the Obama administration fought the federal judge in court, specifically to allow indefinite detention. Your reality is false.
reg November 16, 2012 at 05:33 pm
if you wish to challenge the factuality of my statements, then PROVE THEM WRONG. You toss out many zingers on many topics, none with citation, then try cheesy "I don't have time ...." excuses? COME ON, TOMBOY. Meanwhile, why don't read the bill? Here's the part Obama got included in the bill: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities, relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States." The court ruling you refer to only pertains to military custody of terrorists outside the U.S. Here's a long overdue tip for ya, Tom: KNOW YOUR SUBJECT BEFORE YOU ISSUE TOP-OF-THE-HEAD COMMENTS ON IT
stanley seigler November 16, 2012 at 06:06 pm
re: 'you are both welcome to live elsewhere...'
when folks have no facts...they add zilch to a discussion with statements similar to the above. semantic nit-picking doesn't add much either...believe most would agree what the intent of "you are 'welcome' to leave" was/is...
stanley seigler November 16, 2012 at 06:45 pm
@Tom Utley
re: '...if you offer insurance, there is a maze of regulations to go through...' assuming there is a maze...one should know cost the maze; total all cost; and add reasonable profit...if one cant be competitive they shouldn't be in 'that' business. regulations are not a major factor in the decision to bid jobs or manufacture a widgets. companies offering insurance (in general good benefits) have more productive employees, less turnover, etc...thus are more competitive...
JoSCh November 16, 2012 at 07:13 pm
Because that is what the GOPtards do when they don't get their way; throw a tantrum and threaten to take their ball with them. http://goosecreek.patch.com/articles/two-online-petitions-seek-sc-secession
Infantile and ineffective, but it's what they do.
Tracey D. November 16, 2012 at 07:14 pm
Then stop complaining when our healthcare rates go up!! People you can't have it both ways!
JoSCh November 16, 2012 at 07:32 pm
The state government likely already chose your heath insurance. We have the "right" to choose the near monopoly Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20110501/PC1602/305019922
JoSCh November 16, 2012 at 07:34 pm
"you pay for schools even if you are an uneducated, ignorant person who never learned critical thinking skills."
lol
JoSCh November 16, 2012 at 07:56 pm
There is a captive breeding population that is ignorant and willful enough to remain here working under the guise of "states rights" and "personal choice" while they are being repressed by the corporate giants that bought our government. You think Boeing cares about QoL for it's workers? They came here specifically because they can compensate the workers far less.
JoSCh November 16, 2012 at 07:59 pm
This is a private club Ken, the first amendment doesn't exist here. Deal with it.
Wounded Warrior November 16, 2012 at 09:19 pm
Lets go eat Papa Johns and hear what he has to say.
john doe November 16, 2012 at 10:11 pm
John, One question. How many 80 year old people do you know are capable to navagate through all the endless paperwork that would be needed to deal with if the voucher system were to be implamented. I just applied for medicare and all the different parts and I frankly have seen enough.
I consider myself a good citizen and a person willing to fight again for my country,However I will say that Obamacare as it is being called will allow seniors to have a advocate when it comes to dealing with the insurance companys, And by the way who are still paying a very good dividend. Why because they are all making a good profit. In life if somthing is said often enough most people will at some point think it the truth. Give the plan a chance. Would you like to take on the insurance companies yourself,I bet not. History repeats itself over and over again,Why? Mostly because people are not willing to take a gamble and work for a real change, They get bogged down in the people who spread fear. Go to war,Jump out of a helocopter with your gun in one hand and your (You know what in the other hand) and you will see what I mean about fear and you will also see the people who spread it VERY CLEARLY. States Rights are a good think for a lot of laws and regulations, But not for all things.
reg November 16, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Ha! That guy's a sham - overestimates his cost of insurance, actually tripling its cost --- that doesn't include the fact that he only insures about 1/3 of his employees, either. Openly says that his shareholders are all he cares about.
JoSCh November 16, 2012 at 10:32 pm
I can't tell if this is a joke or not.
Jim Minkler November 17, 2012 at 12:18 am
oUR gOV. CONTINUES TO SCREW THE PEOPLE OF sc.wHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT FROM A REPUBLICAN.
Ken November 17, 2012 at 12:20 am
I really don't give a rip where you decide to waste your money.
Ken November 17, 2012 at 12:21 am
"This is a private club Ken, the first amendment doesn't exist here. Deal with it."
The Reich-wing has spoken.
JoSCh November 17, 2012 at 01:18 am
Pay attention Ken, I'd hate to see someone who is normally rational lash out at facts like a Republican. Amnesty for Friday night maybe? This IS a private website, we're NOT protected by the first amendment here. Deal with it.
Jim Minkler November 17, 2012 at 01:46 am
Feel the same way
Shripathi Kamath November 17, 2012 at 05:49 am
This is going to usher in "single payer" faster than you can shout "socialism". We do not even get to "public option".
For a state that is red since basically ever, and receives more in federal outlays than it generates in revenues, has high unemployment, shouts "personal responsibility" except when its governor goes AWOL or any other time, this is irony. Obamacare will be the only way people will get healthcare in SC. lol
Shane Wilson November 17, 2012 at 06:16 am
Thing is, she already accepted the One Million Dollar grant, given by the feds to help states implement the exchange. If SC isn't going to try it out, why accept the money?? Maybe Haley will take her staff full of buddies and family members on a big vacation to spend some of those big raises she gave all of em while the teachers take another pay cut....who knows, she may meet ANOTHER man, and have ANOTHER affair, while her husband is off defending the country!! What a classy gal!!
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