Michigan Governor Bypasses Legislature, Will Build Exchange

With Republicans in the Michigan Legislature split on building a health insurance exchange as mandated under the Affordable Care Act, GOP Gov. Rick Snyder has decided that the federal government likely will build and operate the state’s health insurance exchange.


With Republicans in the Michigan Legislature split on building a health insurance exchange as mandated under the Affordable Care Act, GOP Gov. Rick Snyder has decided that the federal government likely will build and operate the state’s health insurance exchange.

States have until Nov. 16 to notify the feds on whether they will build an exchange themselves using federal funds or have the feds build and run it. The Republican-controlled Michigan Senate last year passed legislation authorizing a state exchange, but the Republican-controlled House has held up the bill, with many of the members hoping the mandate goes away if former Gov. Mitt Romney wins the presidency in November. Members also fear a vote for a part of ObamaCare would hurt their re-election prospects, Crain’s Detroit Business reports.

A spokesperson for Snyder told the Detroit News that time is running out to get $10 million awarded to build the exchange, and Snyder hopes to reach a partnership with the feds that gives the state some control over the exchange.

Snyder is a moderate Republican who has tangled with conservative lawmakers in the past. In July, he vetoed a stricter version of the state’s current voter ID law.

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