SANTA FE (AP) — A proposal to create a state-operated health insurance exchange is heading to the Senate with bipartisan support, including from Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Supporters said Saturday the latest proposal was a compromise that will allow New Mexico to meet a deadline for having an exchange ready to enroll uninsured New Mexicans in October and be fully operating by January.
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The exchange is to serve as an online shopping center for uninsured people and small businesses to buy health coverage from private insurance companies. The goal is to make it easier for consumers to shop for insurance by comparing prices and benefits.
Under a federal health care overhaul, states had the option of establishing their own exchange or leaving it to the federal government. Nearly 200,000 New Mexicans may be able to buy health insurance through the exchange by 2020.
