Health Exchange Talks Stall

If there is to be a not-for-profit exchange to help Illinoisans get health insurance, it will more likely be by the governor’s executive order as opposed to legislation. A state lawmaker who has studied the issue says that’s a shame.

“No. 1, it makes a lot of sense” to establish an exchange now, says State Rep. Al Riley (D-Olympia Fields). “No. 2, if the Affordable Care Act is fully vetted out by the Supreme Court, then we won’t be ready by having these exchanges already set up. There are times to be partisan, and this is not one of them.”   Not everyone believes this is a partisan problem.   “I’ve talked to many people in the governor’s office last week, and they believe it’s not the intention of the governor to (issue an executive order) at this point,” said State Rep. JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch). “I think both sides realize that we have a lot of different aspects in the insurance exchange and that it’s fair and works for everyone.”

News Article and Audio File:  http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=32210#.UulFRvYXabK