Governor Robert Bentley said Monday he won’t implement part of the federal Affordable Care Act in Alabama. Bentley’s aides announced he has sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius saying he’s an opponent of the act. Bentley added he will not make a decision on establishing minimum benefits for those buying individual and small group policies in Alabama. He called it irresponsible to decide what Alabama’s benchmark will be for essential health benefits without clear guidance from the federal government. Bentley also says the law lacks options for innovative approaches. He advocated health savings accounts in place of the federal law.
~October 2, 2012