After a long campaign season, the 2012 elections are finally over. The results are sure to have an impact on the shape and course of health care reform at both the federal and state level. It will take time to understand the full impact of the elections, but we do know that reform will continue.

Because President Obama has been re-elected and the U.S. Congress continues to be divided between Democrats and Republicans, we anticipate that the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be implemented without major alteration, and that reform is likely proceed on the timetable defined in the law. We expect the federal government to release a series of significant regulations in the coming days and weeks, which will impact our ACA compliance activities and broader market strategy. Therefore we will continue in all of our preparations to meet the law’s requirements.

In Minnesota, The election will result in a big change in state government control.  The DFL party won control of both the Minnesota House and Minnesota Senate.  A DFL majority in both bodies of the legislature should give Governor Mark Dayton greater ability to implement his policy agenda, including his agenda for implementing health care reform.

Regardless of the election results, Medica is committed to working closely with our legislators and regulators to understand and comply with current and future regulation on the implementation of health care reform in Minnesota. In doing so, we will continue to advocate for the interests of our members, purchasers, brokers and provider partners.