Mississippi Insurance Chief Has Exchange Authority

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has the authority to establish a health insurance exchange, says state Attorney General Jim Hood.

Under the new federal health law, every state is required to set up an exchange where people can shop for health insurance coverage. States that don’t create their own will have one run by Washington.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and some conservatives have criticized Chaney for wanting a state-run exchange, claiming he is promoting big government. Bryant tried to block Chaney.

But Chaney, also a Republican, has said that danger will be greater if the state doesn’t run the exchange.

“It is the opinion of this office that MID (Mississippi Insurance Department) is vested with authority to submit the application to establish a health insurance exchange,” Hood said in his legal opinion. “Our office has found no statute which would allow the governor to override a decision of MID or the commissioner.”

Chaney said Bryant may still try to block his efforts. Bryant spokesman Mick Bullock said Bryant wasn’t giving up. Chaney has been working on an exchange for months.