Fallin Defends Support For Oklahoma Insurance Exchange

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Governor Mary Fallin is defending her efforts to create a health insurance exchange for uninsured Oklahomans that opponents say is a step toward implementing the federal health care overhaul law in the state.

Fallin said Monday that if the state does not implement the exchange by 2013, the federal government will step in and create its own.

Fallin says she voted against the health care bill while in Congress and worked with Attorney General Scott Pruitt on filing a lawsuit that challenges its constitutionality. But until it is overturned, Fallin says it's the law of the land.

The state House has passed a measure to create an advisory board to help implement an insurance information exchange. It will identify health insurance plans, what they cover and how much they cost.

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