Ind. Democrats pushing for more health care action

Associated Press

TOM DAVIES,Associated Press

Updated: Jan 16, 2013 12:40 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic lawmakers say more should be done to prepare Indiana for implementation of the federal health care overhaul.

New Republican Gov. Mike Pence has ruled out building a state-run health insurance exchange, arguing that the state program's estimated $50 million cost isn't worth the limited autonomy granted in return.

Democratic Sen. Karen Tallian of Portage said Wednesday a bill she's filed would put a state exchange in place and give Indiana more control over it. The exchanges will allow individuals and small businesses to compare and buy private insurance policies.

Republican House Ways and Means Committee chairman Tim Brown says the state should be cautious in starting its own exchange and can learn from the "growing pains" others states will have in the program's first years.

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