NH Senate rejects healthcare bill

On Thursday, the New Hampshire Senate voted to against a bill that would set state insurance rules that mirror those called for by federal government, The Associated Press reported.

Washington's insurance benchmarks set minimum coverage requirements for plans sold on federally mandated state-based benefits exchange beginning in 2014.

"We said a year ago, this is a federal law, it should be administered on a federal basis,'" Sen. Jeb Bradley said, according to the news source. "I would hope you'd maintain that."

New Hampshire is among the seven states creating an exchange in partnership with the federal government where residents and businesses will be able to shop for and purchase health insurance. Seventeen states are developing marketplaces independently, and 27 are deferring the responsibility to the federal government.

The bill that Congress shot down would have given the state more control over plans sold on its exchange. Without the legislation, the federal government would oversee all individual and group insurance in the states, the insurance commissioner said.

Those who supported the bill stated its rejection will limit the state's power over the healthcare marketplace.

'"What we need to do right now is preserve our ability to self-regulate," said Sen. Andrew Hosmer, according to The AP.