Scott Brown introduces bill to let states opt out of ObamaCare — with conditions

The bill Brown filed yesterday with Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, addresses a provision that allows states to obtain waivers that would exempt them from some of the requirements of the law, including the individual mandate and health care exchanges. In order to do so, states would have to prove that their insurance plan is at least as competitive and affordable and covers as many residents as the federal plan would.

Under the current law, states would be able to apply for those waivers starting in 2017, but the new measure would move that up to 2014, when most of the other aspects of the federal bill are implemented.

Closing that gap, proponents say, would let states begin to apply for waivers before implementing certain portions of the federal law. It also is in line with Brown’s philosophy of giving states more authority than the federal government.

“These . . . changes are good for Massachusetts,’’ Brown said yesterday in a speech on the Senate floor. “They are good for other states who are trying to innovate and advance in the areas of health care reform, cost containment, and coverage.