By The Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 8:10?p.m.
Updated 6 hours ago
PHOENIX ? Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has decided against establishing a state-run health insurance exchange to implement a key part of President Obama?s health care law.
Brewer?s decision, which was announced on Wednesday, means the federal government will set up an online marketplace for the state, offering subsidized private health coverage. The governor reiterated her unwavering opposition to the health care overhaul and said there were too many costs and questions associated with a state-run exchange.
?The federal government would maintain oversight and control over virtually every aspect of our exchange, limiting our ability to meet the unique needs of Arizonans and the Arizona insurance market,? she said in a statement.
Brewer joins other Republican governors in such states as Texas and Maine who have balked at setting up state-run exchanges, although others in Nevada and New Mexico have opted to proceed. She sent a federal official a one-page letter conveying her decision.
Her announcement preceded a Dec. 14 deadline for states to declare whether they would run their own exchanges.
A decision to establish an exchange would have been subject to approval by the Republican-led state Legislature. Though the Nov. 6 election results reduced the size of Republicans? majorities in the state House and Senate, a Brewer push for a state-run exchange would have faced a fight from GOP lawmakers who oppose the law.
An alliance of hospitals, insurance companies and business groups wanted Arizona to have a state-run exchange, arguing that it would increase coverage while giving the state flexibility in designing a program to its liking.
Conservative advocacy groups such as the Goldwater Institute stood in opposition. They said Arizona should not help implement a law that could foist expenses on the state and raise insurance prices for residents.
Senate President-designate Andy Biggs said he appreciated Brewer?s thoughtful deliberation.
?Any exchange run by Arizona would still include an inappropriate imposition by the federal government on our state,? the GOP lawmaker said.
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