ms. mann, i know you and i spoke about this a few weeks ago. i just want to reiterate how important this is for states that already have broad eligibility for medicaid programs. as you know, that is a very big concern of mine. i hope these requirements will not punish these states. let me ask dr. sharfstein and dr. allison, can you talk about how declining funding for uncompensated care and dish influenced your decision to push the medicaid expansion in your states? >> just to give one example from maryland. we have a unique way of funding uncompensated care, about $1 billion a year in uncompensated care goes into a pool on the hospital side. there is about a 7% assessment that goes on in every single person's hospital bill in the state for every service that pays for that uncompensated care. when that goes down because more people get covered, everybody benefits. small businesses, individuals, the state, it is one of the factors that we used to see. maryland is very explicit. you can see the specific savings that will accrue across the state.

. >> ms. mann, did you want to make a comment about what i mentioned before about states not getting punished if they expand their eligibility? >> we have other members that have been waiting a long time. the gentleman's time has expired. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i appreciate this hearing. with tomorrow being the deadline for states to declare their intentions regarding the aca exchanges, i would like to focus my time on the questions that remain with regard to the functions of these exchanges. my time is limited. [indiscernible] how to provide for uninterrupted coverage for those changes within the course of the year is due to fluctuations in income -- the statute is not clear whether consumers would be able to maintain existing coverage or if they will be required to move between private coverage in medicaid if their income shifts throughout the year. this potential could place administrative burdens on consumers and plans, but it could also threaten continuity of care as consumers move betwee