Branstad: Not enough info for Iowa exchange choice

(AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad plans to tell the federal government Friday that Iowa still doesn’t have enough information to move forward with a state-based insurance marketplace under President Barack Obama’s health care law, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The federal government has imposed a Friday deadline for states to confirm whether they will create their own health exchanges for consumers and small businesses. States don’t have to provide specific details about their plan until next month, but those that don’t declare their intention by the deadline will have to move forward with a state-federal partnership or a federal takeover — at least for now.

Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht said the governor will notify U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that Iowa isn’t able to decide. Albrecht said the federal government has set arbitrary deadlines for the states without answering basic questions that would help Iowa officials choose the best option.

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