State health exchange bill clears House, heads to Senate
Posted at: 03/15/2013 5:37 PM
By: Whitney Jones
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A proposal to establish a state-run health insurance exchange has passed the House and is close to clearing the Legislature as adjournment looms.
The House approved the bill Friday on a 61-7 vote and sent the health exchange bill back to the Senate.
A federal health care law calls for exchanges to serve as a marketplace for the uninsured to shop for medical coverage.
The legislation creates an exchange governed by a 13-member board and operated by the New Mexico Health Insurance Alliance, a nonprofit corporation established in 1994.
Opponents say the governing board lacks the power to control the quality of health plans that will be offered through the exchange.
The bill would go to Gov. Susana Martinez if senators agree to the House-passed measure.
Lawmakers adjourn on Saturday.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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