Image: New Mexico Independent

BY CHRISTY LEWIS

The Obama administration has rolled out a new and quite surprising facet of its health care plan. Instead of imposing a one-size fits-all formula on the nation -- the plan will let each individual state decide on benefits.

States can choose between four approved packages, but will have to make sure that their plans cover all 10 categories mandated in the Affordable Care Act. Those include things like emergency services and prescription drugs.

The health care plan originally proposed by Obama was criticized by the GOP for being too rigid and controlling. A writer for the Washington Post talked to a health policy adviser who says this new deflection of power was a strategy to save the admin’s reputation.

“‘They’ve punted to the states,’ says Ian Spatz ... ‘It was good politics. Deciding themselves would have created clear winners and losers. We would have definitely heard the ‘rationing’ term for any benefits that didn’t get covered.’”

And a writer for the New York Times points out -- the new Republican-ish change comes at a key time -- as health care has been a topic in almost every GOP debate.

“The law is looming as a central issue in the 2012 presidential race, with Republican presidential candidates being evaluated on the strength of their opposition to it.”

The White House justified the change by saying different states have different types of people with different medical needs. But a writer for the Huffington Post says that defense won’t fly-- thanks to the 10 mandated categories.

“Are there diseases in Florida that do not occur in Nebraska? Not really. The idea of ‘state flexibility’ is often proposed to mitigate political opposition and deflect charges that this is a government takeover of health care. But it probably won't work here, because the law actually does define what is essential -- the ten categories.”

And a writer for The Los Angeles Times says that ultimately -- the biggest problems anyone has with the modified plan will come down to money, especially because the Obama administration hasn’t addressed cost sharing information.

“Insurers selling plans in these state-based exchanges must cover a basic set of benefits … The law gave the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to decide how generous those benefits should be. That has fueled an intense debate between consumer advocates, who are pushing for more extensive coverage, and employers and insurance companies, which are worried that too many benefit mandates would push up costs.”

The Department of Health and Human Services said it would take comments on the proposal until January 31.