Idaho House: Private Insurers Should Set Up Exchange

Idaho House members voted 49-13 to encourage private insurers to establish their own health insurance exchange, rather than having federal or state governments set one up as envisioned by the 2010 federal health care overhaul.

Rep. Bob Nonini of Coeur d’Alene said Monday he doesn’t think Idaho lawmakers have enough time to pass exchange legislation, with just two weeks left in the 2012 Legislature.

Nonini, an insurance salesman, told lawmakers that he felt obligated to offer this alternative. especially since he’s such an outspoken foe of a publicly-run exchange.

This non-binding resolution now goes to the Senate.

Its 13 foes didn’t debate Monday.

But in committee, they argued government intervention was needed to help control health care costs because private insurers have failed to establish an exchange on their own.