Insurance Commissioner To Pursue Exchange Options

The federal government is giving states like Montana another chance to run at least parts of the insurance exchanges that are part of the federal health care law. Montana Insurance Commissioner Monica Lindeen said developing federal rules opens the way for more state involvement in the health insurance exchanges. Republicans in the Montana Legislature shot down any attempt to let Lindeen's office run the insurance exchanges with federal grants. Lindeen and others argued unsuccessfully that it makes more sense for Montana to run it than the federal government.

Lindeen said options include having states handle consumer advocacy work, such as fielding calls from consumers with money from federal grants. Under the health care law, the federal government will impose its version of the exchange on states that don't set up their own.

Story from AP