States react to the Affordable Care Act

With President Obama’s reelection, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay. During the presidential campaign, Republican candidate Mitt Romney promised to dismantle parts of “Obamacare” if elected, but now with Obama in office for four more years, states can no longer postpone implementing certain parts of the law.  The deadline for states to make a decision on health insurance exchanges, the online marketplaces where the uninsured can buy coverage, was just extended.  They have to announce by December 14^th whether they will build their own exchanges, partner with the federal government, or let the federal government take charge.  States are also deciding whether they will accept federal dollars for the expansion of Medicaid.  This hour, we’ll get an update on the Affordable Care Act and look at what’s in place and what remains to be implemented, how are states reacting, and what does all this mean for you. Our guests are NOAM LEVEY, National healthcare reporter for the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Washington Bureau and JULIE ROVNER, health care policy correspondent of National Public Radio.

AP Photo/Rick Bowmer