Ohio Democrats Plan to Create Health Exchange Despite Insurance Director's Lack of Support

Minority Democrats in the Ohio General Assembly announced a plan last week to create a health insurance marketplace where consumers and small businesses can "comparison shop" for coverage, according to an Oxford Press report.

Sen. Michael J. Skindell (D-Lakewood) said the Legislature can "no longer sit and watch idly as the director of the Department of Insurance does nothing to establish the state's health exchange." The Democrats introduced legislation to create the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Agency, a quasi-governmental body that would set up the exchange.

If approved, the legislation would reduce the authority of Department of Insurance director Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who has taken few steps to set up an exchange since taking office a year ago. She forfeited a $1 million federal grant designed to help create one.

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