Without a deal with the legislature, Cuomo creates a health exchange for New York
Briefing: Cuomo. Cuomo via flickr
7:30 pm Apr. 12, 20121
Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed an executive order creating a health exchange in New York, putting the state into compliance with federal law. Cuomo had been negotiating with legislative leaders to create one but ultimately was unable to reach a deal on it.
Michigan Public Radio has a good explainer on what a health exchange is, and how it equates it to a Travelocity or Orbitz; it's a site to compare prices and shop for health insurance.
Cuomo said New York's exchange will be "entirely financed by the federal government." The health exchanges are a key part of President Obama's health care reform, which has cost the president an inordinate amount of political capital and has, more than a year later, not fully materialized. Creating the health care exchanges in each state is a big step toward fulfilling the objectives outlined in the legislation.
Some Links:
2012
"He is a jackass," Obama said of Kanye West. "But he's talented." [David Samuels]
De Blasio is critical of Super PACs, but the person who he briefly employed as his communications director just left to go work for one. [Michael Grynbaum]
The NRCC attempts to tie Hilary Rosen's comments about Ann Romney never having worked a day in her life to lots of Democrats, including Rep. Tim Bishop and Rep. Bill Owens. [NRCC]
Wendy Long tries to tie Gillibrand to Rosen. [Celeste Katz]
When Rosen resigned her job as C.E.O. of the Recording Industry Association, she said she wanted to spend more time with her family. [Alison Shahid]
NY-06
The hotel workers union endorsed Grace Meng, despite Rory Lancman having carried a worker safety bill aimed at hotel workers after the D.S.K. controversy. [Andrew Grossman]
The Queens Tribune doesn't mention their associate publisher's angle in the controversy about a fourth candidate entering the race. [Chris Bragg]
The Queens Chronicle story references Michael Nussbaum and notes he heads a "political consulting firm which operates out of the offices of the Queens Tribune." [Liz Rhoades]
The QC editorial page sides with Lancman in the controversy and calls Nussbaum a "party insider." [Queens Chronicle]
"Once he was able to remove his ego and pride from the equation, he decided 30 years was enough," Lancman said of retiring Rep. Gary Ackerman. [Joe Anuta]
NY-08
Towns has "no natural successor." [Colin Campbell]
Flashback: The governor hired Towns' son, Assemblyman Darryl Towns, in February 2011. [Cuomo]
NY-18
Sean Patrick Maloney announced his first local Democratic endorsement and called it a "true momentum builder." [Nick Reisman]
Health Care
Through an executive order, Cuomo created a health care exchange program for the state since he wasn't able to get an agreement done with Senate Republicans. [Joseph Spector]
Kathy Wylde and Democrats applauded Cuomo's move. [Jon Campbell]
Guns
An assault rifle and other firearms were confiscated by NYPD officers in Queens today. [Jen Chung]
Education
Local students react to watching a movie about bullying and share their experiences. [Beth Fertig]
Media
Roger Ailes' feigned ingnorace of Gawker's existence is amusing. [John Del Signore]
Chinese media is awash in stories about the unity of leaders in the Chinese government. [Michael Wines and Keith Bradsher]
Local
Councilman David Greenfield fought hard to get the first Orthodox Jewish community board chairman elected, telling the prior chairman, "You're out of order." [Will Bredderman]
The Staten Island Conservative Party chairman is stepping down and secretary Harold Wagner will take over in the interim. [Tom Wrobleski]
Images
Ann Romney responds to Hillary Rosen's comments about never having worked a day in her life. [TPM]
First Orthodox Community Board Chair?
How about Morris Faitelewicz from Manhattan Community Board #3?