Informational question about health care opt out and the exchange

[HamdenRice]

Two of the elements of health care reform that are floating around are the ability of insurance companies to sell across state lines and the so-called insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping web site where people would be able to compare prices and benefits.

If a state opts out of the public option, would a resident of that state be able to simply buy public option insurance through the exchange?

Does opt out mean that p.o. won't be offered in their state or does it mean they would positively forbid their residents from purchasing it? I don't see how they could do that if there is an interstate exchange.

[HamdenRice]

1. Beuler? Anyone? Anyone? nt

[laughingliberal]

2. At this point I don't think the idea to let insurance companies sell across state lines is in any...

of the bills. If the state opts out of the PO it would not be part of the exchange in that state. If the bill emerges with the plan to allow insurance companies to sell across state lines I would imagine that would include the PO.