ND lawmakers begin review of health exchanges

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A former federal secretary of health and human services says North Dakota should set up its own health insurance exchange to broaden coverage in the state.

Michael Leavitt spoke Tuesday to the Legislature's interim Health Care Reform Review Committee. The committee is preparing a bill for the Legislature's special session in November.

The exchanges are part of the new federal health care law. They're intended to encourage price competition among insurers, and to give customers several health plans to pick from. States are setting up different plans.

Leavitt says if North Dakota doesn't set up its own exchange, the federal government will do the job. Leavitt says it will be better if the state is in charge.

Leavitt says he believes federal officials will be flexible in regulating state exchanges.

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