Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Ky. governor creates health insurance exchange
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has issued an executive order creating a statewide health insurance exchange, following up on his promise to do so once the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal health care overhaul.
The exchange will allow people to comparison shop online for insurance. Beshear said that he has been contacted by people wanting Kentucky to create its own exchange.
Beshear’s office said Tuesday the exchange will begin operation Jan. 1, 2014. The federal government will create exchanges starting in 2014 for states that don’t develop their own.
The order establishes the Office of the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange and establishes an 11-member Exchange Advisory Board. Carrie Banahan, executive director of the Office of Health Policy, will be executive director of the new office.